The group walked in silence. The calm breeze was the only noise.
Everyone felt it. Everyone thought the same thing.
Viir is a monster.
That same monster was curled up asleep on Willow's head, nestled like a baby bird in a nest.
"So…" Veronica finally broke the silence. "We might have to keep what just happened a secret from the King."
Sinephilim looked away, jaw clenched.
Willow nodded. He agreed but still, no one spoke.
Veronica exhaled sharply. "I'm going to prepare myself for nightmares… indefinitely."
"I've never seen her like that," Willow said. His voice distant. "Viir was always playful, curious… kind of like a child."
Sinephilim didn't soften. "Willow, I know you have history with her. But that creature nearly killed us. Only by some miracle did my new blessing counter her magic. And next time? We might not be that lucky."
Willow bit his lip. She was right. He knew she was right.
Viir hadn't changed. She'd always been like this. She just never showed it.
"I think I understand now," he muttered. "Why Rhen kept her busy. From the beginning, he warned me, without saying it directly. He never let me spar with her. Never let her hunt. He knew."
He turned to Sinephilim. "Rhen's been keeping her in check for centuries. She isn't a monster!"
"No Willow, she is, you're just blind." Sinephilim's voice cut sharper than any blade. "We're supposed to be saving worlds, not dragging around unstable living weapons. What happens if she plays while I'm gone? What happens when innocent people die?"
Willow looked down.
She stepped forward.
"Who takes responsibility then?" Sinephilim's eyes narrowed. "Rhenvar doesn't care. Viir doesn't care. And you. You are too close to them to see it."
She grabbed his arm.
"Rhenvar never even mentioned you, when you destroyed our world. Does that sound like someone who cared?"
Willow flinched. He didn't answer.
Because deep down. He didn't know how he should feel.
"So, what then," He said quietly. "Do we just throw them away?"
Sinephilim's voice dropped. "We've seen it twice. First Rhenvar. Now Viir. Both of them are walking catastrophes. They don't belong on this mission. They are storms made of flesh. And when they strike, someone dies."
"That's not fair," Veronica said sharply. "Rhenvar saved me. No reason, no gain. Just because he wanted to help."
Sinephilim didn't even look at her.
"You weren't there," Sinephilim said coldly. "You didn't see how carefree he was when our world was gone."
Willow's stomach twisted.
No… that can't be true. Rhenvar had always been kind. Gentle, even a shield for the weak. A voice of reason when I drifted too far. But if Sin was right… Had he been pretending?
Was he just like Aucteros?
Willow's head throbbed.
I can't think about this now. Not when I'm this close to seeing him again. Everything will be clear once we talk.
"Sin, I understand your frustration-"
"No, you don't," she snapped. "You don't know what it's like to feel that kind of fear again. The same fear I felt in my throne room… when what was left of my family was murdered by you and your companions. Yet still, now you're not just teammates to me. You're all I have left. My only hope is to bring back our world. To bring back the people I saved!"
"All the more reason to shut up!" Veronica shouted.
Sinephilim froze.
"I'm sorry," Veronica said quickly. "But Rhenvar and Viir aren't the threat right now. Or did you forget the report I'll be giving the King?"
Willow straightened.
She was right. There were more urgent things to worry about.
"Veronica," Willow said calmly, "what did you find out?"
Sinephilim crossed her arms listening.
Veronica hesitated. "I think- I think it's worse than we realized."
"What do you mean?" Sinephilim asked.
"It's Aucteros. His power. I think it's like Felicia's."
Willow's heart sank.
Felicia's book… She never shut up about how amazing it was.
"He has a similar book," Veronica said. "Never lets it out of sight. I've seen him read it. But it's the way he reacts; he always seems like he knows what's going to happen. Like he's seen it all before."
"You think he can… see the future?" Sinephilim asked, her voice low.
"I think he can."
The air went cold.
"That's impossible," Sinephilim whispered. But even she didn't sound convinced.
Willow didn't speak. He didn't have to.
It all makes sense now. Every step Aucteros took. Every betrayal. Every advantage.
He approached me first, out of everyone. Like he was dancing across a script, only he could read.
Willow looked at Sinephilim. "We need Rhen."
Her face darkened. But Willow could tell; she was thinking about it too. Aucteros had always been one step ahead. Against her. Against all of them.
"We're walking with thunderstorms, Willow," she said. "Let's just… try not to get struck."
****
The Palace.
"I need to get the approval for the use of the Paladin Order," Sinephilim said before turning back to meet Willow's gaze. "Be careful Willow."
Willow curled his hands into a tight fist.
He's not some monster-
"Hey! Welcome back!" Felicia said as the gate opened and walked up to him. "Oh, I knew you guys would be ok."
Yeah right, you've been worried about Veronica since she left the ball.
Felicia turned to Veronica. "Was the mission a success?"
"I have information but- " Veronica looked at the palace. "Rhenvar's undecided fate is the true mission. But I'll do everything I can to convince the King. We need Rhenvar. We need to be ready."
"Are we sure this will work?" Willow asked.
"The plot must go on." Felicia said. "Doesn't matter what we think."
"I agree." Veronica nodded in approval. "Well let's see if this plot ends with me losing my head."
Felicia gasped with excitement.
Veronica rolled her eyes and left to get an audience with the King.
Willow noticed how refined her walk was.
She really was a proper noble lady. Even if she doesn't act like it. Kinda reminds me of Sylvia.
"I got you in," Felicia said. "The King agreed to let you visit him now that he's awake."
What if Sin was right? Rhen at the ballroom, and now Viir… What if Rhen is a monster?
"Htrae to Willow!" Felicia grabbed Willow and shook him back and forth.
"Huh?"
"This is what you've been waiting for," Felicia looked uneasy at Willow. "So, why don't you look happy?"
"There's too much on my mind."
Felicia held the same hands that held Viir.
"O.M.G. this fairy is so-" She let go and coughed. "Willow, don't overthink it. We know the ball wasn't his fault."
"That's not it, Nej… it's just-"
"I told you not to overthink it!" Felicia punched his shoulder.
"Okay…"
They stepped to the royal dungeons.
"This is where I'll leave you." Felicia stood. "I need to back up Veronica."
Willow nodded and went in.
The air was heavy, reeking of iron, blood, and something else.
Willow wasn't sure if a monster or man was waiting.