The grandeur of the palace loomed before him, its imposing presence a stark contrast to the turmoil within him. The anticipation of what lay ahead mingled with the dread of what he might find, creating a tense energy that crackled in the air around him.
But as he entered the grand hall, his eyes fell upon a chilling sight.
Joel's lifeless body hung suspended in the air, held by the ominous tendrils of Zi'eer's oath.
Argus felt a surge of horror and disbelief, his limbs frozen in place, powerless to intervene.
As the tendrils tightened their grip on Joel's lifeless body, a chilling laughter filled the chamber. Turning his gaze towards the source, Argus felt a surge of rage and despair wash over him as he beheld Zi'eer holding the letter that he himself sent to Lucía and Lucía standing before him, their expressions twisted into mocking sneers.
Zi'eer's mocking laughter filled the hall, echoing off the walls like a cruel symphony.
-Look at him, Lucía, Zi'eer sneered, gesturing towards Argus.
-The mighty warrior, brought to his knees by a mere illusion of power.
Lucía's eyes glinted with malice as she stepped forward, her voice dripping with contempt.
-Oh, Argus, how pathetic you are, she taunted, her words like a dagger to his heart.
-You were foolish enough to endanger all your allies and the world just because of a love you thought was real. All this time, you thought you were fighting for something real. But in the end it all was just a little game for us, a game that you were already destined to lose long ago, before everything even started…
The words cut deeper than any blade, striking at the very core of Argus's being. He felt his resolve crumble beneath the weight of their scorn, his spirit shattered by their cruel mockery.
-You see, Argus, Zi'eer's voice dripped with contempt,
-This is what happens to those who dare to defy me. Your feeble attempts at resistance are futile.
Powerless and broken, Argus could only watch in silence as Joel's lifeless body was twisted and torn apart before his eyes.
-We can hear the suffering notes of the song. Those are the ones who use the forbidden one, the one that defies. We won't let you down, hateful one.
As the tendrils loosen their tight grip on Joel's beheaded body, they were directed to Argus, but he was frustrated by the fact that the one he trusted and loved would lead to death of the ones he loved and those who trusted him.
-This wasn't the first, nor will it be the last one, Argus. How miserable of you to think that you could do anything to the Ministry. You shall meet the consequences of your foolish actions. I shall make you watch the world sink.
Soon his body got lifted into air by the same tendrils that caused Joel's death. The only thing he could do before he lost his conscious-
ness was gazing emptily into those ocean-like eyes he once would sink in gladly.