At that moment, William saw everything about himself. Every slight aspect of himself irritated others. Every little selfish choice hurts others. He took Felix for granted, always expecting him to obey while pretending he was his friend. He'd wasted Raynald's valuable time with his laziness. One of the greatest warriors of Harlenor comes to train him. And William couldn't even be bothered to attend his lessons. He saw his ineptitude at various tasks when he was assigned them.

William saw every tiny slight, every half-truth, and arrogant word. Every one of them came crashing down on him. How many people had died because of him since his failure on the ship? How many sentient creatures would still be alive if he had done what he ought to have done and fought?

He saw how he had robbed the chimera on Felix's urging, hardly thinking of it. It had saved them from the satyrs, and this was how he had repaid it?

He had felt good about Felix setting fire to the satyr village. Yet people had died in that fire, even children. He found tears coursing down his cheeks as he struggled to turn away. Yet he could not. All he could do was stand there, watching.

A shadow behind him was growing, and he realized he was not alone looking into this mirror. Another was screaming in agony and horror, another who had a part in him even he had not learned.

Trying to reach out, he saw this being for what it was.

Melchious. Yet why did Melchious have a part in him?

And then William saw that it was not that Melchious had a part in him but rather that he had been a part of Melchious. Everything fell into place. When Melchious disguised Father, he had put a piece of himself into him. That piece had waited within him and entered into Mother. It had become him.

He was a creation of evil. And through him, that evil was suffering horribly. He could feel the unbridled agony coursing through Melchious. The effect of truth on him was blinding as all his sins returned to haunt him. And it hurt. It hurt more than anything else William had ever experienced. Only the truth that it was not entirely meant for him prevented it from tearing him apart.

He saw the screams of untold innocents — the tormented souls of sinners. Their anger and hatred were now consuming the being to which William was connected.

And then it was over. Melchious was silent.

William felt alone, more alone than he ever had before. He stepped back, gasping for air and hardly feeling his body. What he had seen... what he had known...

He looked up to the demoness. "This was your plan all along?"

"Precisely," said the demoness, "rather well played, if I may say so. I knew I could never use the mirror for myself; it was far too hostile to my kind. Yet then I thought. 'What if I could use it to remove my superior?' So I did."

"You knew Melchious would never fall into any trap you set," said William. "So you used me to get to him."

"Yes," said the demoness. "Melchious had some plan for you, I expect. No doubt, it is a long-term goal accomplished by subtle manipulation. Your Father never outsmarted him, but I? His student? I did.

"There were one or two other options, but you were a fine opportunity."

Then his sword was in her hand, and she tossed it to him. William caught the sword, hardly believing his eyes. "Why are you giving me a weapon?"

"Well, obviously so that you can kill yourself," said the demoness. "Inconvenient truths are tearing apart Melchious' soul. I expect he had retreated into the depths of the abyss to try and save himself. He may or may not.

"But if he survives, he can use you as an anchor to return to the mortal realm whenever he wants. So it'd be much simpler for all involved if you killed yourself."

"You're lying," said William. "You just want me out of the way-"

"-so that Melchious cannot return." finished the demoness for him. "I'll have the run of this whole place so long as he is gone. Here, I will be worshipped as a god if only I can step out of his shadow long enough to establish my worship."

She was right. He could feel it, and the blade in his hand seemed to call to him. He had been a burden on everyone all his life and would probably become even more burdened later. Everyone had always had such expectations, and he had never been able to meet them. And by doing this, he would deny the return of a much more powerful demon lord.

Putting the sword's point to his chest, he tried to work up his will. He could feel the demoness' will urging him on, and he knew he should do it. Yet something was holding him back.

"Stop!" said Kiyora, appearing to one side. "Are you crazy?!"

William looked up and saw the Dreaming Goddess put a hand on his wrist. Instantly, he realized how the demoness had affected him. She'd gotten into his head. She'd manipulated his thoughts, so he thought her voice was his conscience.

He lowered the sword.

"Kiyora," he said, "when did you get here?"

"I went to sleep tonight expecting to have to guide some lost kid back home!" said Kiyora. "Instead, I find you almost killing yourself! What are you thinking? Suicide never solves anything! It only leaves-"

And then the demoness surged forward, and roundhouse kicked William in the chest. He was sent tumbling head over heels to crash against the wall. Pain erupted throughout his entire body. He had felt something crack within him, but he couldn't handle the pain.

Then he did feel it. It hurt a lot.

"Who the heck are you?" said Kiyora.

"Oh, just the person who will rule Seathorius," said the demoness. "I've disposed of my master, and now I'm going to dispose of you."

William began to heal his injuries. A blessed sensation soothed the agony as Kiyora looked at the demoness. The creature paced to stand directly in front of the mirror.

"Jokes on you," said Kiyora. "I can't be hurt in my own dreams."

"Maybe not," said the demoness, "but have you looked in the mirror lately."

She motioned to the Mirror of Laevian. Kiyora followed the motion. William tried to cry out, but it was too late. Kiyora covered her eyes and screamed as she fell backward. She landed with a crash on the ground, unconscious. Her light faded, and she now looked... normal, for lack of a better word. William had finished healing himself.

"Well," said the demoness, "that was remarkably easy." She threw the tarp back over the mirror. "Note to self: The Mirror of Laevian can force gods into mortal form." Then she set one clawed foot on Kiyora's neck.

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William got to his feet, snatched up his sword, and charged. But, even as he came on, the demoness backflipped over and slashed him across the back with her tail. He felt the sting on his flesh and reeled forward.

"I hope you realize I was playing around with you the last time." said the demoness. "Which I have no incentive to do now. I'll tell you what. Leave now, and I'll let you have a head-"

William swung his sword at her again. Yet she surged away like a shadow. He narrowed dodged her tail, and several more swipes backed him up against the wall. Then, reaching out with one hand, he caught it between his fingers and dragged her towards him by it, stabbing at her. The demoness brought up one knee and slammed him in the gut. Then, grabbing him by the cloak, she threw him across the room. He hit the mirror, and it toppled over as he landed beyond it. He felt his arm crack and agonizing pain going through it.

Healing it as quickly as he could, he saw her approaching him at a walk.

"You know, I must admit." she said, "I rather enjoyed chasing you through the forests." She raised one claw and smiled. "I'm going to have to enjoy cutting you to pieces all the more."

He hurled his sword at her, and it spun through the air to miss entirely and land against the far wall. The demoness stepped carefully around the mirror as William arose. Fortunately, she knew she could kill him at any time. Shrinking back, he took hold of the side of the tarp.

"You don't think you'll succeed in your designs, do you?" he asked.

"On the contrary, I already have," she said. "All that remains is-"

William hauled off the tarp. The demoness averted her eyes. So William threw the tarp over her. There was a squeal of outrage, and then he grabbed her by the shoulders. With all his strength, he tossed her onto the upset mirror. Her tail lashed out and slashed him across the shoulder. He couldn't help but scream as he fell back against the wall.

For a moment, the demoness was tearing her claws through the tarp. Then, finally, she hauled the tattered remnants from her body and looked up. "You miserable, ungrateful- Oh."

Her gaze was drawn to the Mirror of Laevian. It glinted beneath her as she began to shake. Rising, she screamed and stepped backward. Then, clutching her eyes, she turned and fled weeping into the hall. William watched her go, healing his wounds as best he could. Then he looked at the mirror, which remained undamaged.

Picking it up, he set it back up in its proper place. Then he threw the tarp over it. Even so, the tarp was in tatters, and he had to be careful not to see the mirror.

William kneeled by Kiyora. She was lying unconscious on the ground, but she was breathing steadily. She looked pretty beautiful.

He looked back to the mirror. He'd only be able to take one of them out of here, and somehow, he doubted he'd be able to return anytime soon. Kiyora was a goddess! Sure, she could take care of herself.

Then, there was a rumbling noise. The floor began to shake as cracks appeared in the ceiling. He barely kept his feet. Fragments of stonework fell downwards to clatter against the floor. This whole place was coming down, though William had no idea why he was certain or how it had happened.

William made his choice as he picked up his pack and slung it over one shoulder.

Retrieving his sword, he sheathed it before reaching underneath Kiyora. William picked her up in a bridal fashion and made for the exit. Even as William did, large stones began to fall from the ceiling to rattle around him. He broke into a run, moving as fast as he could. Above him, the cracks spread to the walls. Ahead of him, the maddening visions from before returned in full force.

Sprinting with all his might, he saw colors flash before his eyes. It seemed as though the halls themselves had disappeared. Instead, he was running through a sea of stars that flowed past him in a blur. He wasn't sure if moving his legs made any difference, but he dared not stop now. On and on he went until he saw a doorway of light before him. He raced through and heard a grinding noise. Looking back, he saw the masonry collapsing down onto the entrance. Soon, it was barred from sight. The walls of the castle themselves were falling in around him before his eyes.

Why was this happening? Why was the castle collapsing?

He had no time to find out. He raced into the hall and tried to remember which way to go. Then he sensed a presence and looked to one side to see the demoness rushing at him. Her claws were far longer. Her body, which appeared almost human before, was far closer to that of a wild beast. Long fangs had appeared on her mouth, and her eyes were wild. William ran the other way. He could hear her feral snarls growing louder, and he dodged around a corner. Something grabbed hold of his cape, and he felt a chill. He turned too late and was pulled from his feet. He tried to shelter Kiyora from the fall as he hit the ground hard. Turning around, he scrambled back as the beast approached him.

Trying to draw his sword, he knew it would be too late.

As the beast lunged, the ceiling above it fell inward, and many great stones fell. There was a terrible roaring of stone on stone, and dust was kicked up. When the dust settled, William saw one claw outside the rock. Then it moved, clawing at the ground and beginning to push aside the stones.

William grabbed Kiyora and ran. He had no idea where to go or how to get there. He only knew he had to get as far away from the demoness as possible. A roar echoed throughout the halls as a wall gave way. A whole side of the castle was collapsing down into the courtyard below.

He could scale down here! He could save himself and escape!

Then he looked to Kiyora. He could not bring her with him this way. Wasn't it better to save himself than to save no one? No, there had to be a better way.

He ran off, feeling like he would regret it.

Coming into a room, he found a staircase. But it was leading up, and he had no time. He raced up it and entered the bridge leading to the lone tower. It looked over the entire castle, rising into a stormy sky. It was pouring rain, and lightning was striking across the sky. All around him, he could see the whole castle collapsing into dust. Bits and pieces of masonry fell around them. He raced towards the tower with nothing else to do, praying it might be spared the destruction.

Then he saw a shadow flying across the sky with two glowing blue eyes. It swooped down towards them and landed in front of them, a smile on its face. The demoness looked less feral now and more composed. In an odd mirror, the destruction around them slowed.

"Leaving so soon, are we?" she asked. "I'm offended to leave a lady all alone like that! It's truly unforgivable!"

Lightning flashed across the sky as William dodged aside from the demoness" lunge. He lost his grip on Kiyora but had no time to grab her again. Rolling aside as her tail blade slammed into the masonry, he drew out his sword and slashed her across the leg. There was a scream, more like a beast than that of a person, and William ran.

The demoness pursued, not caring about Kiyora anymore. William fled toward the tower. As he rushed in, he cursed the rigors of time that the doors should have rotted away. He raced still higher up, daring not to look back. As he did, he realized no more groaning or screeching of broken stonework. The devastation that had been taking place before seemed to have stopped altogether.

It was of little comfort. William only hoped that the demoness was focused on him and not Kiyora. He had to kill it somehow. However, first, he had to lead it away. Kiyora might wake up while he was distracting it and escape.

He went up floor after floor, hearing the sound of the pelting rain. Several times, he found that bits of the wall had fallen away. Beyond them, he could see the broken courtyards of Baltoth's Retribution far below. He tried to contain his fear as he scaled past these, realizing how high he was.

Finally, he came into the topmost room of the highest tower. He entered it and froze at what he saw. The demoness was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed and an open window clearly in sight. She waved.

"Wings, remember?" she said.

She lunged forward. William threw his pack at her, batting it away by her tail. Yet he charged behind it and drove his sword into her chest. She screamed and backhanded him against the wall. The impact was horrible, and he staggered to the window as she drew the blade from her chest and threw it aside.

Before she could lunge, the castle shuddered horribly. It nearly threw both of them from their feet. William staggered to the nearby window. Taking hold of the stonework outside, he climbed upwards. The wind howled around him. It threw his hair into his eyes and threatened to send him toppling from the tower to his death. Thunder roared, deafening him as he clambered hand over foot onto the roof. The metal here was slick. He could hardly keep from slipping as he tried to distance himself from the demoness.

Then the demoness pulled herself onto the roof and rushed him, claw upraised. William ducked too late, and white-hot agony surged through one eye. Blood covered half his vision as he collapsed. It was all he could do to grab ahold of the spike to keep himself from falling from the tower.

The demoness kicked him in the stomach twice. Then, she rose into the air. Her wings extended around her as she towered above the roof. She raised her claws. Into her palms, she summoned a great ball of violet fire. Reality itself recoiled from the unholy flames.

"There is no escaping me, William!" she cried, voice filled with predatory joy.

She raised the sphere of flame aloft as if to throw it. Yet she never did. Light surged down from on high as if by divine mandate, and she screamed as her entire body coursed with the energy. Louder and louder, she screamed as she fell from heaven like lightning.

The tremors returned, worse than ever. The tower shook and fell downwards. William hoped Kiyora had gotten away. Then everything collapsed.