Korvus led his black-robed entourage of six into Marconni's estate, their dark attire a stark contrast to the lavish decor. Marconni, resplendent in his finery, greeted them with a warm smile.
"Welcome, honored guests! Please, join me."
Korvus surveyed the opulent chamber, his expression unimpressed. "It'll have to do."
Marconni wasn't pleased by this remark but kept it within himself. He watched as Korvus strode toward Marconni's chair, occupying it with an air of authority. Marconni wanted to yell at him to get up but held his tongue. Korvus noticed the shift.
"Let's get straight to business.What news do you have regarding Archadia's current champion,Kojo?" He asked, his voice low and commanding.
"I'll give you all the information you need. But you need not rush. Allow me to offer some hospitality."
Marconni signaled his servants. "Bring our finest wine!"
" I do not have time for pleasantries." Korvus said,irritated as the servants scurried off.
" Alright then let me tell you what Ive gathered. " Marconni said reluctantly sitting on a smaller chair to Korvus' left. He noticed the other vampires he came with still standing. He wanted to pass a comment but decided to ignore. A servant arrived and presented Korvus with a glass of wine on a tray.
Korvus took a sip of the wine and spat it out. If fell on Marconni who could only contain his rage while he wiped his face with a cloth.
"I've planted one of my slaves closer to the champion. He's currently working undercover in his shop. Concerning his activities-" he said trying to keep his composure.
" It doesn't matter what he does." Korvus cute in. But I am interested in the people he associates with. Most especially his female cohorts."
Marconni raised a brow. What did the people he was with have to do with anything. He wondered if Korvus had a fetish that had to do with other people's women. Not that he was one to talk. He had had lewd thoughts about them. Especially the silver fox.
Marconni began, "Kojo's group is sizable, but the females with him are of particular interest. There's a silver fox demihuman, an elf, the succubus who once championed Archadia, and two humans – one with blue hair, the other platinum blonde."
Korvus's gaze snapped to Marconni, his eye twitching.
"Tell me more about the blonde."
Marconni's smile faltered. "She's not important . She's an irrelevant character.Surely you—"
Korvus's movement was swift and deadly. His foot connected with Marconni's chest, pushing him to the ground.
"Watch your tongue," Korvus growled standing over Marconni and stepping on his face as if meaning to crush it, his voice dripping with malice. "You speak of matters you know not."
Marconni's eyes widened as Korvus's foot pressed down, slowly crushing his skull. Blood oozed from his nose, and his face contorted in agony.
"F-forgive me!" Marconni begged, his voice trembling. "I meant no offense!"
Korvus released the pressure, his gaze never wavering. "Tell me everything you know about that girl. She's more valuable than you realize."
Marconni nodded frantically, fear etched on his face. When Korvus turned however,his expression turned to that of rage and murderous intent.
This was the third time Korvus had sensed this he sat down and face Marconni.
As Korvus's gaze lingered on Marconni, his left eye seemed to...vanish. Marconni's scream was instantaneous.
"Noooo! Ahhh! My eye! My eye!"
Marconni clutched his eye socket and rolled on the ground, blood trickling down his cheek. Korvus dropped the excised eye to the ground, stomping on it with a sickening crunch.
"Remember, Marconni," Korvus said, his voice dripping with menace, "any sign of ill intent will cost you your life. Your or informant but that does not mean you're above execution should you try anything."
Marconni who was on his knees shakily nodded, his face ashen.
" You won't try anything funny will you?" Korvus asked.Marconni shook his head vigorously. A smile appeared on Korvus lips. He enjoyed watching the weak beg.
" Good" he said leaning back on the chair.
" Now proceed," Korvus ordered, raising his hand to stop the servants who wanted to bandage Marconni's wound.
Marconni stammered, "T-the blonde girl...she's been with Kojo since the beginning. Her name is...is Sharone. She's incredibly skilled, and Kojo trusts her implicitly."
Korvus's gaze never wavered. "I want to know everything about the relationship between Kojo and our Lady. Leave no stone unturned."
Korvus said took the wineglass from the table and raising it.
"To our mutually beneficial partnership," Korvus said, a chilling smile on his face .
As Korvus met with Marconni, a guard strode through the dimly lit corridors of the Silver Palace's basement. His boots echoed off the cold stone walls, where slaves languished in cramped cells.
The guard's gaze locked onto Fiona's cell, a sly grin spreading across his face.
"Ah, little one, your that carboys younger sister aren't you?" he whispered, his voice dripping with malice.
" It's such a shame your brother has to die. "
" Your lying. My brother will come and save us." Fiona said through the bars. The guard looked in her direction and laughed.
" I like that you still have hope. But that's all it is. A meeting dream. Since he's completed his task,he's going to be killed and his parts are going to be sold on the black market." The man said walking toward the cell.
" No" Fiona said in a voice that was barely a whisper,her legs giving way as she collapsed to the floor. The guard came to stand Infront of the cell.
" You and your sister on the other hand. Your a more valuable commodity but you still have innocence.whuch works well for us. After all,the more innocent the soul..."
He licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with sadistic intent.
"...the sweeter the breaking process."
Fiona's eyes flashed, the guard's words sent a shiver down her spine.
"You'll enjoy the 'breaking' process," he continued bringing bringing his face closer to her, his voice dripping with menace . "I'll be there to ensure it."
Fiona spat in his face. The guard's anger flared. He grasped her hair through the bars, yanking her head into the bars.
"You'll pay for that," he snarled, his eyes blazing. "I'll cut those disgusting ears and tail, then your limbs. You'll make a fine personal toy"
Fiona's eyes welled with tears as the guard's grip tightened.
Suddenly, blood splashed across Fiona's face, and the guard's arm fell to the ground. There were footsteps.
A man strolled toward them, nonchalantly shuffling a deck of cards.
"Unsightly, treating women that undignified way," he remarked, his singsong voice detached.
The guard's face twisted with rage.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
Before he could react, a low voice whispered in his ear.
"Dead men don't speak." Gran said from behind him,moving toward the cell.
" When did he.." were the guards last words before his head toppled from his shoulders, blood spraying everywhere. His body dropped to its knees, then collapsed.
Fiona stumbled back, horrified.
Gran drew closer his eyes locked on hers.
" The cards told me to follow this man here from that restaurant. I thought it'd be don't fun but..... Ah well." He noticed Fiona whimpering in the corner.
"Don't be scared," he said softly squatting Infront of the cell.
Fiona's gaze trembled.
"Who are you?" she asked.
The man's smile was enigmatic.
"A clown," he replied. "You may call me Gran."
Fiona repeated his name, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Gran."
He affirmed with a nod.
"Yes. Gran Pierrot. I'm here to show you your destiny."
The cards floated from his deck, arranging themselves on the floor Infront of the girl who was still shaking.
"Pick a card," Gran invited.
Fiona hesitated, then chose one.
"The Fool," Gran muttered, frowning.
The cards vanished in a burst of sparks.
" Hmm. Guess I was wrong. This is interesting" he said getting up to walk away.
"Wait!" Fiona called after him, grabbing the bars of her cage. "What's it supposed to mean?"
Gran didn't respond.
Instead, he snapped his fingers.
Fiona's cell door creaked open.
A single word etched itself into her mind: Freedom.
Without hesitation, Fiona sprinted out of the cell.
As she emerged into the dimly lit corridor, Fiona stumbled, her legs trembling.She thought about looking for her sister who had been sent somewhere else. She found fin sleeping in a room.
" Fiona? What are you doing here?" Finn asked but her sister just hugged her.
" Are you hurt?" Fiona asked.
" No. They didn't do anything to me. The food was terrible though." Finn said.
Fiona let out a laugh but her face quit hanged.
A voice echoed in their heads.
"Run, little ones."
Fiona's heart pounded, but she didn't look back as she ran with her sister.
She fled through the winding corridors, desperate for escape.
Gran stood on top of the house.
" Who would have thought I would find someone who could influence fate aside myself?" He said to himself. He looked at the clown card.
But I'm not going to make Thier escape that easy. He heard shouting within the manner. He'd managed to alert the guards that the two had escaped. The image wo rabbits being chased by bloodhounds came to mind.Gran smiled in delight at the thought , touching himself.
" This is so good I can't get enough." He said blushing
"Show me more."