In the dim but cozy confines of Arkon’s office, nestled deep within the dungeon's winding halls, Ciaraidh, Akae, and Arkon sat together in an unexpected moment of warmth and discovery. A soft glow from the hearth cast flickering shadows across the room’s worn stone walls, as the air seemed lighter than usual, filled with a sense of newfound family. Arkon leaned back in his sturdy wooden chair, a smile pulling at the corners of his face, while Akae, his eyes sparkling with surprise, exchanged a knowing glance with him. Between them sat young Ciaraidh, swinging her legs playfully from her seat. The weight of the dungeon’s gloom had lifted, replaced by a rare moment of connection and joy.
Arkon wished he could scream in joy, but with his mouth stitched shut he could only sign about how he felt.
“Arkon is ecstatic to know we’re family,” Akae interpreted his sign language.
“How come he doesn’t make any noises?” Ciaraidh asked.
“When he was your age, a very mean fae took away his ability to talk.”
“What? That’s so rude! Was she punished for it?”
“Not yet, they still haven’t caught her. But don’t worry, we’ve been searching for her for a long while. We’ll catch her eventually.
“Oh good! She should be brought to full justice for her crimes,” she said as Arkon’s interpreter entered the office, giving the signal to the men. 
Akae nodded. “Hey Ciaraidh, how about we go get some lunch? Arkon has a visitor he needs to speak with.”
“Okay! I’m starving,” she said, hopping off of her chair as Akae led him out.
The interpreter dragged Aldmae in by his chains, sitting him down from across Arkon
{I’m surprised you got here so fast. Teleportation?} Arkon signed, with the interpreter repeating out loud.
Aldmae chuckled. “That’s not your business. None of this is- though it should be. You are one of us after all.”
{What does me being an ivierae have to do with this?}
“You may be living it up as a noble in the most prestigious city, but I know you still care your ivierae brethren. We’re just doing what we know is right. Humans deserve the slaughter.”
{Who’s “we”?}
“You focus too much on the smallest of aspects, don’t worry about it. You’ll find out soon enough if you’re that desperate to know. Once you become one of us.”
Arkon eyed him suspiciously.
“I know, I know, I’m being vague. You’re going to join me and the others in fighting for our complete freedom against our human oppressors.”
{Are you saying that I’m going to become a murderer?} He looked horrified.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing! It’s not like we’re indiscriminately killing- oh wait, we sort of are!” He laughed. “We’re doing it for a good cause. Wipe out the humans before they get the chance to finish what they started, with a genocide against us. They’ve proven time and time again that we can’t coexist with them. They may tolerate you, but that’s only because they don’t know you’re an ivierae. Like Akae. That broad chasing after him is going to be his downfall if he doesn’t dispose of her soon.”
{How do you know about her? Not even the Benoists are aware of her.}
“Let’s just say- word gets around. I do apologise for not spoiling everything about our plans, but I’m not gonna say much else until you assimilate,” Aldmae gazed directly at Arkon, making his heart skip a beat.
{How, how exactly do you expect me to assimilate?} he signed shakily.
“Like this,” Aldmae grinned widely as the putrid scars on his face coagulated.
The rot moved.
It peeled off his skin like it had a life of its own—strips of blackened, dying flesh unraveling from his body and sailing through the air. The marks twisted like smoke, then took form, each piece writhing with purpose as it soared toward him. Arkon tried to move, to escape, but his feet wouldn’t obey.
The first piece hit his chest with a sickening squelch. It burned. He screamed mentally, clutching at the spot, but the rotting flesh seemed to meld with his own, sinking into his skin. The sensation spread quickly, a creeping corruption. His vision blurred with the pain as more pieces of his decaying marks followed, whipping through the air, splattering against his arms, his neck, his face.
Each touch felt like fire and ice, searing into him, fusing her essence with his. The blackened scars etched themselves deep into his flesh, dark veins spreading beneath the surface like poisonous vines. His skin blistered, cracked, then settled into the same ghastly texture that had marred Aldmae.
Aldmae gazed lifelessly at Arkon before falling to the ground, unconscious.
Arkon hissed and screamed as the rot began weaving intricate marks all over his body, including his face. He fell backwards in his chair, clawing at his face trying to rip off the gooey corruption infecting his soul- but it wouldn’t come off.
Slowly, his struggles subsided. The interpreter watched it all happen like it was normal, scratching at the marks on his own face hidden beneath the mask he wore.
“Do you see what I mean now?” The interpreter asked him.
{… Yes,} Arkon slowly signed, shaking as the weight of his reality hit him. {I understand what must be done now.}

Akae and Ciaraidh sat in the grand dining hall, a cavernous chamber of stone with towering, arched ceilings adorned with intricate banners bearing ancient crests. The long, polished oak table stretched before them, its surface gleaming beneath the soft glow of flickering candlelight. The rich aroma of roasted fish and spiced rice wafted through the air, mingling with the faint scent of burning hearthwood. Ciaraidh, her eyes half-closed in contentment, hummed softly with each bite, her delicate fingers lifting the food to her lips. Akae sat next to her, the low murmur of their surroundings contrasting with the warmth of their quiet meal in this ancient, regal space. Akae merely nibbled at his own food.
“This is so good!” She sang, her eye glowing a bright blue. “Whoever made this was really happy.”
“I’m glad you like it, the chefs here are the best in the world,” Akae said, chewing his fish.
She smiled, playing with her food before taking a bite. After swallowing, she sighed. “Please don’t be mad at me.”
“Why would I be mad?” He asked, tilting his head.
“I lied about everyone being normal. I’m just scared. Papa has been acting very funny lately, ever since. Ever since the zombie showed up.”
“There’s a zombie at your house?”
Ciaraidh nodded. “He’s very mean. He threatened to hit me if I told anyone about him. But you’ll protect me, right?”
“Of course I will! I value your safety. How would you like to come back with me to the Benoist’s house while I get someone to take care of the zombie?”
“Popop Cassius is stinky… but better than the zombie. Okay!”
He chuckled. “Yes, he can be very stinky. But at least you’ll have Seiy and Garbone to keep you company. And- say, can you describe what the mean old zombie looks like?”
“Hmmmm. He looks like someone from Maefyzer. He wears one of those masks,” she said, making a hand gesture waving in front of her face.
“I see, thank you. Eilis, did you get that?”
“Yep, I’ve just relayed everything to the Highking,” he said, appearing out of nowhere.
“Woah, how’d you get there so fast?”
“I teleported,” he said with a smile.
“That’s so cool! Can you teleport me?”
“My powers don’t quite work like that unfortunately.”
“Aw, alright.”

“Is all this really necessary?” Garbone asked.
Cassius stood at the grand does of the embassy, his gnarled hands gripping the iron handles as if he alone could keep the outside world at bay. The deep lines in his face seemed to deepen further with every thud of the heavy wooden beams being placed against the doors. “We’re dealing with a lich, boy," he growled, casting a sharp glance at Garbone. "This place will be our fortress. Our last defense.” His voice was steely with conviction, but behind the fire in his eyes lay something darker—fear. “You don’t know what I’ve seen.” Garbone did know, or at least, he had heard the stories a thousand times, and he wasn’t interested in hearing them again.
She sighed, leaning against a far wall, arms crossed. “A lich? Seriously? They don’t exist. She shot a sideways glance at Eilis, who was tightening a window shutter with the same enthusiasm one might have for sweeping cobwebs. “What do you think, Eilis?” Garbone asked, an eyebrow raised in sarcastic disbelief. 
Eilis, still bent over his task, glanced up briefly, his lips curving into a wry smile. "What I think doesn’t particularly matter, young master," the butler replied with his usual dry humor, "I’m just here to serve the whims of the… head of the house."
Eilis’s tone did little to soothe the tension that rippled through the room. Cassius stepped forward, his face reddening at Garbone’s challenge. "You always think you know better, don’t you? This world is darker than your narrow mind can grasp." He gestured around the embassy, which suddenly felt more like a tomb than a sanctuary. "The wards on this place will hold against ordinary threats, but a lich... he will get in if we don’t act now. I will not be responsible for our deaths because you were too foolish to understand the danger."
"Well," Eilis said with a soft sigh, "if we do meet a lich, at least the decor will give him something to admire before he kills us all." Garbone chuckled at that, but Cassius remained silent, his eyes fixed on the barred door as though expecting something—or someone—to test its strength at any moment.
Cassius jumped when there was a knock at the door, prompting Garbone to laugh- until Cassius death glared her. 
Eilis grinned as he walked up to the door and answered it. “Ah, Lennon and Duosg, please come in,” he stood off to the side as the young Duosg dragged in an unconscious Lennon over his shoulder.
Cassius perked up upon seeing Lennon, and he rushed over to take him. “Oh, my dear grandson! Thank you for bringing him back Duosg, how did you manage that?”
“It was a pain in ass, I’ll say. He put up a good fight. What’s going on, anyways?”
“You don’t know what’s happening?” He looked at the boy confused. “Ciaraidh said there was a lich at your residence.”
“A lich?” He laughed. “Oh, she loves making up stories. It’s part of her child-like thoughts that I love about her. No, she just got scared because someone who we thought had died was actually alive. He was attacked by Hyal’s men for helping the Yati Fae Guild deliver some food to a village.”
“I see… Well, with Lennon, he’s been possessed by some kind of psycho killer. Have you heard about the butterfly murderer?”
“I haven’t, no. But that definitely explains why he was so aggressive towards me. Was he trying to kill me??” He looked at Cassius scared, tensed up.
“I doubt it. He likely was trying to force you to join his side. Eilis, can you bring Lennon to his room? Tie him up for now, until we find a way to free him from this curse.”
“Yes my Lord,” Eilis said, picking up Lennon carefully.
“Speaking of which Eilis, we haven’t seen you in a while. Is everything okay?” Duosg asked.
“Hm? Oh yes, uh, I’ve just been busy helping doing some background research into this murderer, especially trying to locate Lennon. Thank you by the way for your help,” he said, quickly disappearing into the next room as Cassius eyed him suspiciously.
“Can you tell him that Cathal wants to talk to him when you see him next? It’s urgent. I’d stay but I have to get home and help watch that man that was attacked.”
“Of course. Thanks again for your help, will you have dinner with us if you’re not busy?” he asked, helping escort Duosg out of the embassy, to which he nodded. As Cassius closed the door, he let out a long sigh, rubbing his temples. “Maybe he’s right.”
“How’s that?” Garbone asked. “Ciaraidh isn’t known for lying.”
“Neither is Duosg. Besides, I don’t know what Ciaraidh’s deal is, but she’s too old to be acting the way she does. I don’t trust her the way she acts like a child.”
Garbone rolled her eyes. “The doctor explained this before, she has something wrong with her brain, she can’t help it. I know you’re paranoid about doctors and everything, Ciaraidh isn’t hurting anyone.”
“She WILL be hurting someone if Duosg is right, though. She called a random man attacked by Hyal’s guards a lich. I was ready to have Eilis go out and slay him,” he said as he noticed Havre dragging her hooves as she walked towards them, exhausted. 
“I eh, finished boarding up the windows . Can I go nap?” She asked, rubbing her eyes.
“I suppose. Are you alright?” Cassius asked.
“I think I’m starting to feel the withdrawal effects from my tea. I’ve never gone a few weeks without it and I ran out of my own supply before we left for the city.”
“I see. I’m sure some sleep will help,” he said casually as he walked off.
Garbone approached her. “I’ll help you to your room,” she said as Have smiled.
“Thank you, I appreciate it,” she said as the two walked towards the spiral staircase.
“I’ll see too if we have any jaina tea left after you settle down,” she said as they ascended the stairs. She helped Havre to her room. “I’ll be right back,” she said as Havre laid on the bed, and walked out and back down the stairs.
Garbone wandered into her massive kitchen, the high ceilings and gleaming marble counters giving the room an almost cathedral-like feel. She moved toward the tall cabinets, scanning the neatly organized rows of herbs, spices, and teas. Her fingers trailed over the labels—chamomile, rooibos, hibiscus—until she reached the end of the shelf, but the jaina tea wasn’t there. Frowning, she double-checked the next cabinet, pulling out boxes only to find everything except what she was looking for. With a sigh, she stepped back, realizing the rare blend might be gone.
The head chef walked into the kitchen upon hearing her shuffling around. “Everything alright?” He asked.
She looked at him with a smile. “You don’t by chance have any jaina tea do you? My friend Havre needs it as she’s going through withdrawal.”
“Oh no, sorry, we ran out of that. But I can have someone run to the tea shop to pick it up first thing in the morning when it opens.”
“Ah alright, thank you.”
“I’d you’d like I can prepare some chamomile tea. At least it’ll help get through the withdrawal until she can have more jaina,” he said, pulling out the chamomile.
“I don’t know if she’ll drink it, but it’s worth a shot. Thank you.”
“Of course, young master. I’ll have it brought up to duchess Havre’s room as soon as it’s ready,” he said as he prepared to make the tea.
Garbone thanked him before walking back up and relaxing the word to Havre.
“I don’t really drink chamomile. But I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to try it, thank you Garbone,” she said as she got comfy on the bed.

Hours pass and dinner time comes. The air at the dinner table was thick with tension, not from fear of a lich anymore, but from the strange quiet that followed Duosg’s revelation. Cassius, still at the head of the table, stared at his untouched plate, his expression unreadable as he tried to process the boy’s claim. Duosg sat directly across from him, his hands fidgeting slightly, though his face was set in a seriousness that belied his youth. No one spoke, but Garbone’s smirk slowly returned, the faintest glint of satisfaction in his eyes as he glanced at his grandfather. 
Eilis, leaning against the wall, gave an exaggerated sigh of boredom but remained silent, watching the situation unfold with a detached amusement. Havre sat stiff and wide-eyed, trying desperately to contain her jitters caused by the withdrawal. Jaryn and Ryo were quiet, their eyes darting between Cassius, Garbone and Duosg, as if unsure whose side to take. Akae remained motionless, his armored bulk a silent reminder of their over-preparedness, his eyes occasionally flicking toward Cassius, awaiting direction. The embassy, meant to be their sanctuary, now seemed like a cage built on false fears.
“So,” Cassius cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “How’s Lord Angalt, Duosg? Is his illness getting better?”
Duosg nodded as he chewed his food. “Much better. He’s still very weak, but at least he’s getting up and moving around. The doctors are saying it’s just old age rather than an actual illness.”
“Peh,” he waved his hand in dismissal. “Ivierae don’t get old. We’re ageless. My face may still be wrinkly but I still feel right as rain.”
Duosg shrugged as he continued to eat. He swallowed before asking, “It’s getting late, do you mind if I stay the night? Popop doesn’t like it when I’m out in the dark.”
“He worries too much, but sure. I’ll have Eilis set up a room for you.”
“Thank you,” he said, taking another bite of his fish, and gulping down his water.
Eilis suddenly spoke up “Lennon just woke up, Lord Benoist.”
Cassius’ eyes lit up as he stood. “Really? Oh, I’ve got to go see him!” He exclaimed as he rushed out of the room. Everyone else looked at each other before deciding to follow Cassius.
Garbone crossed her arms at how excited Cassius was, sighing. Havre patted her shoulder reassuringly, causing her to smile in response. 
They all entered the spacious room, with Garbone, Eilis, and Cassius standing closely to Lennon who wearily looked at the three. He knew he was tied up and for good reason, so he didn’t try to struggle. “What’s going on?” Lennon asked.
“Lennon my dear boy! Oh it’s so good to see you again. I’ve been worried sick. What do you remember happening last?”
“Mm.. I remember Kyazf talking to Garbone and I, but I don’t remember about what.”
“No memory at all past that point?” Garbone asked, surprised. “That was a few years ago..” she trailed off.
Lennon looked at her surprised. “What?? What was I doing the whole time?”
“Don’t freak out, but. Kyazf’s been mind controlling you into helping him slaughter humans,” she winced.
His usually tan face turned pale white when she said that. “By the gods, I think I’m going to be sick. But- why am I tied up now?”
“We had to be sure that you weren’t still under his control. Speaking of which, the scars that he left you with are grotesque,” Cassius said, trailing the rotten flesh where the putrid green marks once were with finger.
“Thaaaat explains why my body stings,” he sighed shakily.
Eilis suddenly reappeared with the nurse in tow, carrying a bunch of supplies for him. “I hope I can help with that. I’ll start with your face and see how it goes from there,” the nurse said as he approached Lennon. Eilis untied Lennon as the nurse tried to disinfect the wound on his face, causing Lennon to hiss from the pain and recoil. The nurse paused as he did.
“We can worry about that later, for now I think it’s best to just let Lennon rest. Are you hungry? I’ll have Eilis bring up some food for you,” Cassius said.
“Um, sure, I’m really craving blue raspberries, thank you.”
Jaryn felt his blood boil seeing Lennon and the way Cassius acted like he did nothing wrong. His fists and teeth were clenched, though he tried to hide it as he knew Lennon wasn’t in control of his actions. Ryo could sense his tenseness, and hopped into his shoulder, purring loudly to help him calm down. He felt immediate relief and sighed, scratching Ryo’s head as thanks.
Lennon noticed the brothers and Havre. “This is Havre, Duchess of Çollinre Village. And those two are Jaryn and Ryo, you uh, burned down their village,” Garbone said, gesturing to the guests. The three of them waved a bit awkwardly.
“You also killed some of my guards when you attacked my village. But, it’s alright. I know it wasn’t your fault,” Havre smiled.
Yet her words of assurance weren’t enough to calm Lennon down. He trembled. “I’m so sorry everyone. I promise I’ll make up for everything I’ve done.”
“You don’t have to do anything, Lennon, you were being manipulated. You’re completely innocent,” Cassius said as he patted his shoulder.
Lennon grinned awkwardly as Cassius said that, dropping it quickly as he looked at Eilis who bright him the blue raspberries. “Thank you,” he said with a small smile, taking the plate and beginning to eat the berries.
Cassius then started shooing everyone away, “You all go finish your dinner, I’ll catch Lennon up on everything that happened.
They all returned to the dining room and sat down. Garbone rested her head on her hand as she played with her food.
“You alright?” Jaryn asked.
“Yeah. It’s just- I’m glad Lennon’s back and that Cassius is happy to have him back, but. I don’t know, it’s just like, another reminder that he favours Lennon over me. Because I’m not as easy to brainwash and in open about criticising him, meanwhile Lennon gets hypnotised so much that at one point he forgot he only eats berries. Fuck, Cassius is probably brainwashing him now as we speak for running away to begin with. I’m just. I don’t know. I bet he was happier being away from this hellhole.”
“Should we stop Lord Benoist then?” Havre asked.
“That’s a bad idea,” Akae started as he took a bite out of his fish. “Cassius is very, eh, obsessive with being in control of things. If you interrupt him he’ll personally torment and embarrass you. It’s happened to me before.”
“Really?” Garbone asked, looking at him. “I always thought you had a stronger will power.”
He looked at her with an eyeing glance before looking back down at his food. “It used to be pretty decent, but Cassius wore me down after a few months. Hell, he even implanted a trigger if he wanted to embarrass me again. A sleeper agent if you will.”
Garbone couldn’t help but chuckle, imagining Akae doing some hilarious dances- but stopped her train of thought when Akae glared at her. “Sorry, no, it’s not funny. Just unexpected,” she cleared her throat.
“Right. Anyways, it’s best not to get on his bad side. I can’t remember it now, but he used to tell me often about the stuff he’d do to his prisoners during the war.”
“The Vampire War?” Jaryn asked.
Akae shook his head no. “The Great Human-Ivierae War.”
Everyone but Garbone looked shocked upon hearing how old Cassius was. 
“But- but that was over 3,000 years ago! I didn’t know ivierae could live that long,” Jaryn said.
“They can live longer. Much longer. It’s just so rare because of the way they’re treated as slaves and stuff,” Akae mentioned before saying: “It’s also affected by your physical health. People like Garbone tend to die much younger when they’re lazy.”
Garbone’s jaw dropped at that comment. “I’m not lazy, I’m traumatised.”
“Oh please, that’s not an excuse to not do anything. I’ve been traumatised too, but you don’t see me wallowing in my own misery. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I did what you’ve done. Or, haven’t done. I get what happened to you was tough, but you need to get over it and start working towards some kind of goal. It’s been three years.”
Her face went red. “Except it’s still fresh in my mind. Do you have any idea what it’s like to be shot with a fear spell over and over again? Having your worst fears put on blast for you to physically experience?”
“I don’t need to when I actually lived through it as a child and adult.”
“You obviously don’t know how-“
“I don’t care how it works!” Akae interrupted. “I’ve had to live through it and live with the consequences of it. The only consequence you’re dealing with is the sadness.”
“It’s debilitating, Akae! Do you think I like being depressed? I have goals I want to-“
“Yeah, sometimes I do think you like it. It gets you sympathy and an easy slide out of doing your job.”
“But I’ve been working! I started working as soon as I stopped being suicidal,” she cried out, wiping away tears.
“Oh don’t you start crying! Always with the waterworks with you,” he growled, rubbing his temples. “Look, I’m sorry you think your depression is as suffocating as you think it is, but you’re never going to beat it with the attitude you’ve been carrying since you woke up from your depressive sleep. You’re awake now and that’s what matters more- you have a chance to make this better and all you’re doing is smoking wullo and calling it “therapy”. I’m just trying to look out for you-“
“I don’t need you to look out for me!” Garbone sobbed. “Not- especially not when all you do is criticise me when I’m just trying to do my best,” she exclaimed, slamming down her form as she got up and stormed out of the room.
Everyone left in the room just looked at Akae before awkwardly going back to their food.