"You're sure you're alright, Maggie?" Nick asked, holding onto his sister's waist as she walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Nick was behind her and to her right, while Marcus was on her left holding her hand.
A weak chuckle left her mouth, "I like to think I'm at least able to walk down the stairs, Nick."
Nick grimaced, "You sure? I can carry you down if you want."
"I'm not hurt. Least not physically," Maggie rolled her eyes but didn't push her brother away.
"Big sis is OK?" Marcus looked up, moving closer to Maggie as she reached the floor.
She squeezed his hand in hers as they reached the floor below. Her lips curled into a small smile, "Uh huh. Your big sister is back up and moving."
"You sure?" Marcus looked up at his sister, rubbing at one of his eyes to wipe away a tear.
Maggie gently tapped Nick's arm. He let her go so she could crouch down and rub Marcus' head, "I'm sure. Why don't you go find Gloria and Horace? I'm sure they'd love to play with you. And if you're good, I'll be sure to give you some snacks after dinner. OK?"
"...OK," Marcus let go of his sister's hand.
"Good. Nick, do you know where Cynthia's children are?" Maggie looked over her shoulder at Nick.
He pointed down the hall towards the living room, "Last I checked, they were with Cynthia and hanging out in the living room. Think they were playing some kind of game?"
Maggie nodded then motioned for Marcus to head towards the living room. The young man stared at his sister for a bit longer, then he started walking away. He stopped in the middle of the hall to look back at Maggie once. He frowned before running towards the living room.
"You know you can't fool him," Nick said with a shake of his head, "Really, Maggs. If something's wrong then-"
"Nick I don't want to just sit in bed feeling sorry for myself, while everyone else is still going about their days," Maggie interrupted, standing up and not looking at Nick.
"I get that...but...after what just happened...no one would blame you if you just stayed in bed for a bit longer."
"No one...but myself. Nothing's gonna change if I do that," Maggie took a deep breath. She placed a hand on her chest, clenching it into a fist as feelings from that night came back. She shook her head to dispel the memories, turning around to look at Nick, "Now, could you please help me do the laundry?"
Nick nodded, though the worried look on his face didn't disappear. The two headed towards the door leading to the backyard. Maggie went through first, moving faster than her brother who had to catch the door before it closed on him. As they got through, they spotted Tina standing up with a basket filled with folded clothes in her arms. Maggie smiled and called to the other woman, "Tina! You were out here?"
Tina jumped a bit at the sound of Maggie's voice. She turned around and her shoulders slumped in relief when she saw the siblings. She adjusted the basket in her arms as she spoke, "Hello, Maggie. Nick. It's good to see the two of you up and moving. And, yes. I came out here to do the laundry. It's something to do, and is one way I can pay back Lady Cynthia."
"Hmm, well, do you need any help?" Maggie offered with a smile, "Nick and I came out here to do the same thing. Maybe there are some clothes left over?"
Tina frowned before looking down at the basket. She hesitated before speaking, "Actually...I didn't do these."
"What do you mean?" Nick said, one of his eyebrows rising.
"I didn't wash these. I came out here to do the laundry. But when I got here...these were already washed and dried. I was going to go see if Lady Cynthia did it before me."
"Don't think so," Nick placed a hand over his chin, "I know she went out with her kids earlier. Wouldn't have had the time to."
"Maybe Felix did it?" Maggie suggested.
Tina shook her head with a small chuckle, "No. I love Felix, but I doubt he could get this much done before the day's out. And even working together, I don't know if Jet's Band could get it all done without anyone else noticing."
Maggie hummed in thought, "Strange. Wonder who could've done it?"
Nick shrugged while his eyes started to roam the area. Eventually, they landed to the right of Tina's feet...where he saw a familiar doll. He pointed towards it, "Hey, isn't that Matilda?"
The two girls followed Nick's finger. Both of their eyes widened at the sight of the child-sized doll. Tina stepped away from it as it sat on the ground, completely motionless. She tilted her head, "It...is. I...didn't see her until now."
"How long has she been there anyway?" Maggie asked, moving over to the doll. She bent over and picked it up, holding it aloft while staring at its face. She hummed as the soft fabric of its dress bunched up in her grasp. Something compelled her to run her fingers along the doll's arms which is when she felt a damp patch near its wrists. Frowning, she pulled it closer and looked at the doll's sleeves. She raised an eyebrow at what she saw, "Her sleeves...they're wet."
"Maybe Gloria left her outside in the grass? She is a kid. She might've forgotten about it," Nick said, shrugging as Tina came to his side.
Maggie shook her head, "There aren't any grass stains on her dress. And the water is focused around her hands."
"How would that ha...," Tina went silent, her gaze slowly going to the bundle of clothes in the basket she was carrying. She blinked rapidly as her gaze climbed back up to look at Matilda. Her silence drew Nick and Maggie to look her way...which is when they saw the basket. Both slowly began to think the same thing that Tina was thinking. The three humans all stared at the doll in Maggie's arms for what felt like an hour.
Staring at the inanimate doll.
As if they were waiting for something.
Waiting for her to...act.
Then Nick shook his head, "Wh-Who cares? Point is, clothes are done. Let's get back inside. Maggs, you might wanna leave Matilda here. In case Gloria put her there for a reason."
Blinking, Maggie shook her head to clear it of her wayward thoughts. She hugged Matilda close before turning to Nick with a frown, "No. I'm not leaving her out here. I'll just...put her by the stairs. That way Gloria will see her when she gets ready for bed."
"That sounds like a good idea to me," Tina said, silently thankful that the previous conversation had ended. As the three entered the house, Tina walked up to Maggie and spoke, "By the way, Maggie? I wanted to ask you something."
"Hmm? Did you need me for something, Tina?"
"I was planning on going out and buying some stuff for the Manor. I was wondering if you would like to come along. We can even invite Lady Cynthia."
Maggie smiled and nodded her head as she placed Matilda down next to the stairs, "That sounds nice. Let me know when you're ready to go."
Tina's smile grew wider as the two of them continued into the Manor. Nick sighed while shaking his head, "You two have fun with that. I'm gonna see if Sentinel will train me some more. Need to bulk up for what's coming next."
"Don't push yourself too hard, Nicholas," Maggie said as the three of them made their way toward the kitchen. Nick waved his sister's concerns off with a shrug.
The three were soon far enough away that none of them noticed Matilda.
Nor how she got up onto her feet.
She dusted her dress off while staring after the humans that had left her by the stairs. She pushed an errant lock of hair away from her face, smiling while staring at Maggie's back.
"That one has gentle hands," she said to no one in particular, "She'll make a good mother one day."
"Little Assistant," a gentle voice called out to her. She turned to see Eve descending the stairs, a bucket in one hand and a washcloth in the other. The contents in the bucket sloshed as Eve walked down each stair. Her eyes fell onto the shorter doll as she spoke, "You have finished with the laundry?"
"Indeed, my creator," Matilda curtsied to Eve as she reached the floor. Then she looked up at her with a smile, "What is next on our criteria for the day?"
Eve slowly moved her gaze from the left to the right. Then she turned back to Matilda, her expression still serene but with a hint of uncertainty to it, "I am...unsure. The rooms have been cleaned, the dishes are done, and the laundry is finished. The Good Hunter is with her children and all her guests are busy. Truly I am lost as to what to do now."
Matilda straightened herself and tilted her head at Eve, "Well, what do you usually do when nothing needs to be done? Or when the Good Hunter is busy?"
"Usually in the Dream. Cleaning gravestones of past Hunters, spending time with the Little Ones, or waiting for the Good Hunter to return," Eve said evenly, she placed the washcloth into a pocket on her dress, while leaving the bucket on one of the stairs. Seconds later, the Messengers appeared from beneath the gray object. They swiftly dragged into the dark abyss they came from, holding it until Eve needed it once more.
"And...is there nothing else?" Matilda questioned her creator. Eve shook her head while staring down at the smaller doll. Matilda grinned and skipped towards Eve's right. She took the larger doll's hand in hers, "Well then, let's go find something else for you to do. Lady Selina will be leaving for quite some time very soon. So, having something you can do while in this world would be good."
"Perhaps. Oh, but I am unsure if we should leave the manor. At least without the Good Hunter's notice," Eve placed a hand on her chest in worry.
Matilda's grin grew wider and she started to pull at Eve's hand, "Don't worry so much. I'm sure Lady Selina would be glad if you got out of the house of your own accord every now and then. If the fact that she let Koga go off on his own is any indication. Besides, you can always return to the Dream if you're needed, can't you?"
"I...suppose."
"Then let's go!" Matilda increased the strength of her grip and manages to get Eve to follow along. The two dolls made their way to the front door, Eve stopping to wave to the Huntress through the living room entrance. Selina stopped playing with Gloria, holding the little girl by her arms while she kicked her legs back and forth. As she spotted Eve and Matilda heading towards the door, she got to her feet and called out to both of them.
Eve froze in place, making Matilda trip as the Plain Doll suddenly became immobile. She got her feet under her and turned to see Eve staring in Selina's direction. Selina walked over to the two of them, one eyebrow raised and eyes moving between Eve and Matilda, "And just what are you two doing?"
"I'm taking Eve outside," Matilda admitted easily. Selina frowned at her admission, to which Matilda replied with a roll of her eyes, "All the housework is done. And Eve can't return to the Dream without you. So, both of us would just be sitting around doing nothing. What's wrong with going out for a little?"
"The fact that most people in this world don't have insight," Selina stated in a serious tone of voice.
Matilda raised her finger, "Ah, but did seeing us cause anyone to gain Insight? If so, then shouldn't the adults be able to see us as you and the children can?"
Matilda waved a hand into the living room to indicate said children. Turning around, Selina could see Horace and Marcus roughhousing, both boys clashing their hands together while Gloria watched on in confusion. Eventually, Horace managed to push Marcus to the ground, but the other boy refused to give up. It only ended when the two of them started laughing and fell against each other, rolling on the floor while playfully tapping each other on the back.
Selina frowned, "You...have a point."
"Exactly. In addition, would you really want to stop Eve from being able to see this 'Waking World' you so wish to protect?" Matilda's lips curled into a cheeky grin.
Selina bit her lip at Matilda's logic. She turned to Eve, asking the Plain Doll a silent question. Eve bowed her head, "I will not lie, I have been interested in seeing what this world looks like. But if you do not wish me to leave, Good Hunter, then I shall remain here."
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
"No...no. I can't do that. Not if you truly wish to see the world outside," Selina shook her head, walking over to Eve and taking the Doll's hands in her own, "Just promise me you'll be careful. Both of you."
"We promise," Matilda and Eve said in unison. Selina gave Matilda a hard stare, before letting go of Eve's hands.
"Then...be safe. Both of you."
"We will. Come on, Eve!" Matilda said, starting to pull Eve towards the door once again. When they reached it Eve gently opened the door for Matilda. Then the two were out the door.
Jet paused, his hand inches away from the door handle to Cynthia's house. He blinked twice before looking around at his immediate area.
"You OK there, Jet?" Blitz walked up and placed a hand on his shoulder. She tilted her head in worry, "You've been standing in front of the open door for a bit now."
Jet blinked again. Then he turned back to the door. Sure enough, it was wide open. The door handle was now far away from his outstretched hand.
"Wait but...wasn't this...this was closed wasn't it?" Jet questioned, slowly letting his hand fall to this side.
"Nah," Sentinel shook his head from Jet's other side, "that thing was open a few seconds ago. Don't get why Cynthia just left her door open though. Hope she hasn't gotten overconfident since coming home."
"No, I could've sworn...no. No. You two are probably right," he admitted, shaking his head and sighing. Then he turned back to the door and prepared himself, "So, we go in, we talk with Cynthia, then we get out. Of both the building and Pran. Got it."
"You two get out. I'm staying," Sentinel stated without hesitation.
"I know. I was only talking about Blitz and me. Let's get this over with," Jet said before walking through the open door. Blitz hesitated for a moment before following Jet, a frown on her face. Sentinel followed after her, being sure to close the door behind him as he did.
Matilda and Eve were already in the street by the time the three mercenaries entered the building. The two of them were soon moving through the streets of Pran, walking side by side while holding hands. They stuck to one side of the cobblestone path as they moved passed groups of people going about their day-to-day business. None paid them any mind, save for the odd child who stopped to point at them as they walked. The heat of the mid-morning sun didn't bother either of them in the slightest.
"So, what do you think of the Waking World?" Matilda asked, being careful to remain close to Eve's skirts. A small grin was perpetually on her face, a skip in her step as she walked beside her creator.
Eve spoke with her typical monotone, "It is interesting. I don't believe I have seen this many people in one place before. Though the Good Hunter has told me of such things. It is a bit overwhelming."
"We can go back home if you want."
Eve shook her head, "No, no. It is not a bad thing. I feel it is...good to see more of the world that the Good Hunter wishes to protect."
"I'm sure it's better than being stuck in the Dream all day long."
"It is certainly interesting," Eve said, watching as a father helped a young boy who fell and scraped their knee get to his feet. She watched the two share a hug until she and Matilda were out of sight.
Matilda giggled, "I'm glad. But is there anything specific you want to do while we're out? We can do anything you know."
"There is no need. I am content simply walking around with you, Little Assistant," Eve stated with a nod toward the smaller doll.
"I'm honored to be considered such good company, my creator," Matilda bowed her head and continued to walk along with Eve. As they walked, the two became aware of a certain...feeling in the air. A sense of anxiety that seemed to get more pronounced as they walked. Guards on every street corner, the people walking with their eyes darting from side to side, and some conversations exchanged with hushed whispers were only some of the examples that lead to this conclusion. While people continued along with their daily tasks, there was this sense that something was wrong. It was just that no one wanted to admit it.
"How strange," Eve stated while examining the people they passed, "It feels as if these people are fully aware of what is to come."
"You speak of Druella's coming attack," Matilda stated. At Eve's nod, Matilda shrugged, "Based on what you and Lady Selina have told me, the Guard Captain is doing what he can to keep that information hidden from most. Only a few know of it. If that is the case, then perhaps these people are worried over something else."
"It is possible. Perhaps the fact that they are particularly close to the Fallen City that the Good Hunter plans to visit," Eve states in her typical monotone.
"Selina plans to go to Lescatie?"
"Yes. She told me such after she returned with her children. Four Goddesses appeared in her home last night. They discussed matters and came to some form of agreement."
"Who were these Goddess, exactly?" Matilda's curiosity grew with each passing second.
Eve tapped a finger against her chin in thought, "I believe they were the Goddesses of War, Love, the Sea, and a Fallen One."
"She spoke with Ares, Eros, Poseidon, and the Fallen God?" Matilda was shocked, especially at the reveal of the fourth deity. She could remember the Fallen God and meeting some of her adherents in Lescatie. Particularly those led by Sasha Fullmoon, the recently corrupted Dark Priest. She could remember going to a few sermons led by the woman and being present for the "bonding activities" its adherents were wont to do. She looked up at Eve with her mouth hanging open, "Why would such Deities come to speak with Lady Selina?"
"According to the Good Hunter, they wished to strike a deal with her. One that she had preempted. They wished to see her seek a peaceful solution with Druella, instead of having bloodshed be a forgone conclusion. Something she had planned to do ever since she heard that Druella was coming for her."
"Then, Lady Selina has four Goddesses on her side?"
Eve shook her head, "Sadly, no. Only two. The others were not very fond of her refusing to simply join Druella and the Mamono. They wished to either see her gone, or see her corrupted into the same type of monster that you once were."
Matilda frowned and shook her head, "Those two would be Poseidon and the Fallen God then?"
"Yes."
Matilda's frown grew deeper. She kept walking with her hand in Eve's, eyes downcast and looking at the ground. Then she looked up at Eve and spoke with a determined glint in her eye, "I wish to go with the Good Hunter when she leaves."
"...Why?" was the only response Eve gave.
"Because I once lived in Lescatie and have experience with it. I have memories of my time there. Memories of the capabilities of Druella's forces, how the Mamono work, and what it would take to defeat them should it come to blows. The Huntress knows none of these things. If we want to ensure she has every advantage she could possibly have, then I must go with her," Matilda's statement was said without a speck of fear or uncertainty.
Eve stopped walking.
As did Matilda.
Eve got down onto her knees and placed her free hand on Matilda's shoulder. She stared Matilda in the eye and spoke, "Are you certain you can keep the Good Hunter safe?"
"Yes."
"Are you certain that you can keep yourself safe?"
"Yes."
"What will you do should things come to blows? And you are forced to fight those you once called friends?"
"I will fight them. And, if it comes to it, I will kill them."
"Why are you so ready to do so?"
"Because I know what they're doing in that city. I know what they've done to the people living there. And at one point in my life, I called it happiness. But now? Now I can only call it enslavement. And while it may pain me to do so...I will not hesitate if the time comes to put them down."
Eve stared deep into Matilda's eye. She searched for a hint of hesitation. A hint of fear. A hint of uncertainty.
And it was there.
It was small, but it was there.
So she sighed, "Will you not reconsider? You are not a Hunter. You do not have to be one."
"I will not be a Hunter. That is Lady Selina's job. The task she has taken up for herself. I will be her guide. Her support. The one who helps her find her way in an unfamiliar land. I will be-"
"Her Little Assistant," Eve finished for her. Matilda nodded. Then Eve pulled her into a hug, "Be sure to tell the Good Hunter of this. Be safe. May you find your worth here, my Little Assistant."
"Thank you, my creator," Matilda hugged Eve back, her tiny arms wrapping around the taller doll's collar.
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"We're leaving Pran," Jet stated plainly.
Selina stared at the mercenary band's leader, Gloria in her lap while Horace was holding onto her leg. Marcus had climbed up onto the sofa next to her, going to sleep with his head against her side. Gloria was laying back against Selina, her own eyes staring up at her mother's face. Selina sat across from a standing Jet, who had Sentinel on his left and Blitz on his right. Sentinel had a stoic expression on his face while Blitz refused to look at Selina at all. She kept biting her lip while looking between Jet and Sentinel.
Selina's expression didn't change as she replied, "Could I inquire as to why?"
"We don't want to stick around for when Druella gets here. We're sellswords. Not idiots. Not gonna stand around and just wait to get turned into Mamono. Well, two of us aren't," Jet turned to glare at Sentinel.
Selina turned to regard Sentinel. The old man looked Selina in the eyes and spoke with conviction, "I am staying. White Lilim or not, I'm not going to abandon this place. Especially not as long as you're here."
"I'm pretty certain I've made it clear that I will not be joining the Order. Especially after recent events," Selina explained with a calm tone.
"I'm not doing this for the Order. If those fuckers are too stupid to recognize when we've got a trump card, then they can go ahead and let themselves get monsterized. I'm doing this for the people here and for myself. I'm already in my twilight years. Might as well go out in a blaze of glory rather than cowering away from a fight. Unlike some people," he shot his own glare at Jet.
The other mercenary scoffs, "Call it whatever you want. You're practically serving yourself up on a silver platter to the Mamono."
Selina hummed in understanding. Then she turned to Blitz, "And what about you, Blitz? Will you be going with Jet?"
"I...I...I don't...," Blitz started biting her lip, her words caught in her throat.
"Blitz, you're coming with me, right?" Jet asked, a bit of worry entering his tone.
"You can leave with him if you want, lass. I won't judge you. But we could use your help," Sentinel said with a wave of his hand.
Blitz looked between the two, indecision clear on her face, "Can't we just...I don't know...do something else? Why do we have to split up? That'll make our band a lot less effective."
"Yeah, but we can't stay. You know how strong the Mamono are. There's no way we can make a difference here," was Jet's response. He placed a gentle hand on Blitz's shoulder, "Come on, Blitz. You're smart. You should know this."
Sentinel said nothing, merely watching the two as Blitz's thoughts warred with each other in her head.
She spoke again, voice more urgent, "But...but we can't just leave! That's...that's not what Heroes do."
"Blitz, we're not Heroes. We're just normal people."
"Then what about her?!" Blitz pointed a finger at Selina, voice raising and eyes narrowing, "She's a murderer. A child killer. Yet she's planning to stick around and fight to defend people she doesn't even know! How can we just leave when she's able to do that?!"
"Blitz, she can't be turned! There's literally no risk to her!" Jet responded, his voice rising a bit.
"If I may interject," all eyes turned to Selina as she spoke. She straightened her posture before addressing both Jet and Blitz, "There is still plenty of risk to me. Skilled I maybe, I am but one woman. I can turn the tide of many conflicts, but I will not be able to save everyone that will be involved in this conflict. And, should I be unable to hold back the Mamono or stop Druella from attempting her invasion, then I shall lose everything. My house, my children, my friends. All the things I have worked hard to get will be taken and changed by the Mamono. And walking away wouldn't solve anything. Druella is after me, specifically. If I ran now, she'd simply chase me down."
"That said...I do not believe that either of you is wrong. Blitz is correct, in that it matters little whether one is a 'Hero' or not. We can all be Heroic in our own ways. Whether that be fighting against an overwhelming foe, or stopping to help someone along our path. But there is a fine line between bravery and foolishness. Sometimes running away is the better option. Even if some may consider it the coward's way," Selina spoke while running her hand through Gloria's hair.
"Then...then what do you think I should do, huh? If you're so smart," Blitz said, hands clenching into fists.
"I am not who you should be asking. Only you can answer that question," Selina stated evenly.
Blitz sucked in a frustrated breath before turning to look at Jet and Sentinel. Sentinel only nodded, while Jet gave Blitz a weak smile. Blitz looked down at the floor as she cursed everything at that moment. Cursed everyone else for not just giving her an easy answer, and cursed herself for not being able to come up with an answer. What was she doing? All she had to do was make a choice. Stay here and fight but leave Jet behind, or go with Jet but leave Pran behind. What was so hard about that?
A Hero would stand and fight...but that would mean leaving the love of her life behind.
Going with Jet would keep them together...but she would be abandoning Pran.
"I...I...I need to go outside," she said at least, rushing out of the room.
"Blitz, wait!" Jet called, but she was out the door before he can say anymore. They all heard the door slam close a moment later. Jet sighed while placing a hand on his head, "Why? Why is this so hard for her?"
"You should know," Sentinel said, moving to stand behind the younger man. He placed a hand on Jet's shoulder, "She's caught between being a Hero and staying with you. It's eating her up inside."
Jet pushed Sentinel's hand off his shoulder, looking up at the old man with a scowl on his face, "What good's being a Hero if it gets you killed?"
"Some of the greatest Heroes were martyrs Jet. And their sacrifices saved many."
"So what? What does that-"
"The healer that saved you from certain death would be dead if a Hero hadn't given his life to keep her alive!"
Jet went silent. He looked up at Sentinel with a confused look in his eyes. Sentinel sighed, "Just because the results of someone's actions aren't obvious or immediate, doesn't mean they don't have merit, Jet."
Jet bit his lip then turned away from Sentinel, "I know...I know. But...but that's not us. That's not...that's not me."
Then he turned around and walked out of the room towards the door. It soon opened, but there was no sound of it closing. Sentinel turned back to Selina with a frustrated sigh, "Sorry you had to see that."
"It is fine. I can understand where they are both coming from," Selina stated, keeping her eye on the hall outside the living room, "Do you believe they'll be alright?"
"They should be. Might be a bit of a cynic, but Jet's got a good head on his shoulders. Blitz though...I'll be honest I don't know. I kind of want the girl to fight with us...but I don't want her to get monsterized. So, I just kept my mouth shut. Let her find her answer. Though now I don't know if that was the best idea," he shook his head as he frowned.
The Huntress hummed in thought. But their conversation was interrupted by someone walking in and closing the door behind them. A few moments later, a guard walked into Selina and Sentinel's sight. His eyes quickly moved from Sentinel to Selina...and he took a step back when he saw the Huntress. His cheeks turned red as he took off his helmet and bowed, "P-Pardon me, ma'am. Pl-please forgive my intrusion. I am looking for the owner of this manor, named Cynthia Albion. Who might you be?"
Selina gave the guard a flat stare, but answered in a calm voice, "I am Cynthia Albion, sir. What is it you require of me?"
"Wait...you are...but...but the Captain said you...," the guard looked the Huntress up and down, his confusion only growing at the juxtaposition between what his superior had told him, and what he was currently seeing.
Selina frowned, "What, exactly, did Captain Felix say I looked like?"
Her tone was sharp enough to make the guard salute, "No-Nothing! He-He-He just told me to give you an update on the current situation and get an update on your current status, ma'am! Nothing more, ma'am!"
Sentinel put a hand over his face to prevent himself from laughing. Selina didn't let up on her frown. She merely waved at one of the empty seats, "Then, please, sit down. I'm certain we both have much to talk about. Would you excuse us, Sen?"
"Got it, Cynthia. I'll see if the Mercer boy wants another lesson," the older man chuckled while pounding his fist into his open palm.
Selina smiled as he began to walk away. Then she turned to the Guard and prepared to receive his news.
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"So," Druella said to her three guests, "to what do I owe the pleasure of having you three visit me?"
The Amazon, Apsara, and Banshee all stood before the White Lilm. Each stood tall, their faces contorted into scowls as they stared at Druella. The Apsara spoke first, stepping forward with the grace her species is known for, "We have all come here at the behest of the Goddess of War, Love, and Death."
"Each has bid us speak with you," the Amazon spoke, her arms crossed and bronze skin shining in the dim light of the throne room.
"For they each wish for us to give you the same message," the Banshee spoke, her voice carrying with it the sadness carried in all her kind, "A message that concerns the Hunter."
"Oh? And what message is that?" Druella asked one eyebrow-raising.
"Do not go after her."
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