"Papa's funny," giggled Nox as he and his friends left the library within the Midnight Castle, heading towards the playroom where they would continue their little adventures. However, as himself and the twins round the first corner, Anasi decided to stay back in order to ponder this new revelation of the Ageless's past self. Of which was in front of a pair of gilded which were out of place in the dreary theme that was a part of the castle.

This was where Brutus found the young Arachne, and spoke aloud with a light, sing-song voice, "Is something the matter, Anasi?"

Of which caused the child to jump at the sudden intrusion of his mind and, turning towards the elder, wondered, "Was Uncle Ageless really so destructive as you told us?"

Such an inquiry caught the other a little off guard, as he contemplated the answer best suitable for the child's inquisitive mind. "Hmm," he hummed softly, the pale green lights in his sockets flickering softly as though mimicking a blink, "Truth be told, he was-"

"I knew it," grumbled the child, but was interrupted by the metallic Skeleton.

"-and still is."

"What do you mean?" The eyes of the Arachne widened tremendously. For they have been taught at a young age that their God King was of the benevolent sort, and praised him for every little deed he had accomplished since the beginning.

Whereas the other, if he had lips to speak of, smirked at the child's naivety. "Young one, as you will learn as you grow, you will come to realise that he is not as Omnipotent, Omnipresent, nor Omniscient as many would have you believe. Come, walk with me for a time," this was spoken as he directed the other down the hall. Where they walked slowly for a time with only the flickering of the emerald lights, and the light tapping of their feet and spindle-like legs tapping upon the stone floor creating sound.

As they continued at a slow pace, Brutus pondered what he should reveal to the inquisitive mind of the Arachne below his person. However, the moment he spoke caused the child to jump once again, as the melody of the other's voice permeated the stone around them, "Whatever they are telling you at home about our Lord, it is best to only perceive it as half truths."

"What do you mean?"

"Our Lord is... weaker than that of His race. For you see, child, He is the fifth strongest in the whole of our Universe, but only the third strongest within his race. However," the metallic Skeleton held up his right, lesser clawed hand as he spoken in order to forestall any words to come, "However, He does not wish to become stronger, only to preserve what He deems necessary. For example," all four of his arms slowly waved to encompass the whole of where they were, "this space he had long ago created for the Black Parade."

Anasi shivered at the aforementioned name, as the tales for such an army were gruesome and cruel. To which the other simply nodded once he caught sight of the child's reaction, "Yes, they are as the tales say, for they are still undoubtedly cruel. Especially when they encounter Humans, as they tend to bring those to me in preparation for the 'Feast'."

"Lord Brutus?" the Arachne's eyes narrowed suddenly, then turned upwards with a slight glint in them, "What is the 'Feast'?"

"Ah," he sighed slowly, then motioned towards the other to climb atop his person as they ascended some stone steps towards the first level of the castle, "The 'Feast of Screams', also known as 'Il Concerto dei Dannati', or 'The Concert of the Damned'. It is, for lack of a better word, a torture festival."

"A what?" the younger's eyes widened as his small head tilted towards his right shoulder, unable to comprehend what he was hearing exactly.

To which the other simply sighed, his patience cracking somewhat, but held it all in, "It is a time when the Lords of Chaos, and those with iron stomachs, as the saying goes, come together to watch as I perform a magnificent concert for their ears to enjoy. All with the tormented souls of our Lord's most hated enemies."

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This caused the child to shiver with naked fear, as he was placed down upon the floor, and watched as the other twirled about with barely contained glee. "It is a pity you are too young to be exposed to such an event," he could not help, but visualise that if the Skeleton before him had flesh upon his face, that it would be grinning broadly at this moment. Which led to him pausing for a moment in order to shake his head quickly as though dispelling something from his mind.

"Lord Brutus?" the Arachne called up to him, not at all sure as to what was going on, as a pair of Living Armour awoke nearest their persons in order to take up position in front of the child. It was here that he noted the Skeleton before him had a bright pair of crimson orbs within the eye sockets, but they were flickering greatly as though the mind was trying to keep something else within.

This led to the child being scooped up by a pair of blue furred arms, and was whisked away just as nearly a dozen more Living Armour marched towards the four-armed Skeleton with shields at the ready, and weapons drawn. Of whom was currently clutching his head and swaying.

Not understanding what was happening, Anasi looked upwards to find Sarah whisking him away from the scene with a tight grimace upon her canine features. "Aunt Sarah?" his voice called up to her, which he was then rewarded with a cursory glance at his person, "What's going on with Lord Brutus?"

For a time, she did not answer him, that is, not until they were at the door to the children's main playroom where his friends would undoubtedly be. Whereupon he was placed upon the stone floor, and directed to go inside. It was here that he heard her whisper, just as the door closed behind him, "The Madness hasn't been seen in centuries."

Unfortunately for him, before he was able to even contemplate what had occurred, his body was flown up against the wall as all three of his friends tackled his person. "Anasi," they cried out with great joy, their tails shaking in every direction possible. Whereas their furred cheeks rubbed up against his head, whilst they each whined, "Where were you?"

"I was speaking to Lord Brutus," he spluttered quickly, just as the twins licked his cheeks, and the Arachne did his best to push the hybrid off of his body before the other had a chance to lick his face, too. "But seriously, Aunt Sarah said that he might have the Madness."

"Huh?" the trio's ears perked up at this, which they then turned to one another and started laughing.

"What's so funny?" he called out to his friends, whilst he arms folded over themselves in front of his abdomen.

"Silly Anasi," giggled Nox as he patted his friend's right shoulder, "Uncle Brutus is Undead."

"Yeah, so?"

"So," mewed Maya as Mia nodded quickly, "that means he already has it."

"What?" The Arachne was confused, until his mind whirled in remembrance of his lessons that all children were given when they became old enough to remember such a thing. For the Undead, either created or birthed, always contained the Madness within them. However, such a thing was always being suppressed by the wills of the Pantheon. For if they did not, then there would be an epidemic of Undead roaming the worlds with the intent of harming everyone and everything until they either calm down, or were obliterated by something stronger.

However, Anasi couldn't help, but wonder what was wrong with Lord Brutus. If it was the Madness, then why was it allowed to come to be?