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Malvat burst through the hole after the others, showering dirt and rock down into the collapsing room. The ground beneath him held – miraculously. He attributed it to the overall strangeness of this place.

Raising his head to they sky, Malvat shook the rubble off his gleaming ebony body and sniffed the air. Clear, but somehow scented with something he’d never encountered before. Odd. A few birds flew overhead, screaming their indignation of the world, and trees draped with fruit waved in a slight breeze. Green grass was soft under his feet. The mankind were speaking in little groups here and there.

How quaint.

Malvat lowered himself into a lying position, watching the mankind nearest him. A Bearer of Fire was speaking with the shape-shifter, the one who made him almost as nervous as Jericho. Her thoughts were flitting back and forth between their conversation and shame about either her appearance or whatever force-field thing she’d done back in the room. Malvat zeroed in on the shame. This was an emotion easily manipulated. His silver eyes narrowed as he watched the girl – the name Lupa skipped across Alessio’s thoughts, so that was probably what she was called – and monitored her thoughts.

What power does she have, I wonder? he mused. I’ve never seen one such as hers, and I’ve been the Bestower for hundreds of years.

Something hissed inside of him, twining a black vine tighter around his coldening (IT IS A WORD AUTOCORRECT!!) heart and making him wince.

Death.

He winced again, anticipating what he already knew would happen next.

A bright tendril of ribbon reached for the black vine, pushing it backwards with warmth. When it brushed his heart he paused and reveled in the brief moment of pleasure.

Life.

The black reached forward again, entangling around the ribbon and trying to strangle it. Pain ripped through Malvat’s body and he shuddered, closing his eyes as he ordered the powers to halt their war. Of course they wouldn’t listen. Life and Death were the two most powerful of the powers and so were higher in rank than most kings of mankind or Amandril-folk. Only Kening and the Bestower were above them, and since Kening wasn’t actually in VaSerBo anymore and Malvat’s grip on his power as Bestower was slowly waning, the powers rarely complied to his wishes.

They were at war, and Malvat knew his hourglass was no longer stalled because of it. He had thought taking Life in when he realized what a mistake it had been to take Death was a good idea. Instead it had shortened his lifespan.

I’m a fool.

Malvat let a huff of air escape his nostrils as he closed his eyes and focused on keeping the pain inside his body from showing on his face. I’m a fool.

Yes, Death hissed back. But you’re a strong fool.

Do not listen to the blackness, Rusak, Life murmured. Malvat flinched, hating her use of his true name. It calls you into deeper mistakes.

So you admit I am a fool?

She was silent for a little bit and the pain in his body spasmed outward, making his tail flick before he curled it close to his body. You are. But Kening uses the fools to shame the wise.

I will relieve you of the pain, Malvat, Death broke in. But you have to accept.

Malvat instantly gave Death control. He already knew the power could stop Life from fighting if he let it, and that would ease the pain. So he granted Death permission, and the black tendrils wove a cage around his heart, neither touching it nor letting it be touched. Life withdrew, and her bright ribbons faded from feeling.

I am a fool, Malvat thought, letting a shuddering breath come out of his mouth as he let his taunt muscles relax. He opened his eyes, letting the blazing fury in them pour onto each of the mankind. But I am a triumphant one.

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Woah… I didn’t realize my poor villain had so much internal conflict – literally. XD Guess that’s what this Castle is for! @millennium @irishredcelticflowercrown @kimlikesart @this-is-not-an-alien @crazywriter