Retribution

It was lucky that none of the other fools that surrounded her could sense me, but I knew that Malachi had grown suspicious. Unya was not careful enough in her discreet interactions towards me whenever he was present. He had become my greatest threat, but my plans to undermine their relationship had fallen on deaf ears and been met with open hostility.

I had travelled the wrong route in trying to come between them, instead of turning her against him I needed to sway his loyalty away from her.

I thought I had succeeded when he had first discovered her new hobby, but he had accepted it rather too easily and for my liking. This had only added to my growing suspicion where he was concerned, this situation required me to push Unya harder and make her into an even darker creature than she had already become.

Extinguishing all of her light held a great risk for my overall plan, but it had become clear that I had to accept all the risks that came with it if I had any hope of gaining the foot hold that I craved.

I had to tighten the leash and ensure that I did not grow despondent, I could not afford for Unya to discover her true strength and just how little she needed me.

But in that moment I was stuck in my little world of darkness, an unsuspecting Malachi had banished me. Although a great worry was gnawing at my broken, decaying soul. How had he known to fight me with light, if he had no idea of my existence. If only he had not arrived in that precarious moment, I had been so close to destroying that part of her that was fighting to claw itself, free from imprisonment. If I was lucky enough to be granted another opportunity, I would ensure that I would not fail a second time.

The true ebony child could not be allowed to return, not if I had anything to say about it.

11

Marcus

When I had first arrived at Mihaela’s doorstop, it had filled me with trepidation and worry.

We hadn’t spoken since I told her about Unya disappearing down into the underworld, because the hatred that burned in her eyes had hit me. But also because I knew she hadn’t only blamed me, she also blamed herself.

It played repeatedly in my mind, wondering if I was doing the right thing but I knew she had a right to know about the development that had arisen.

The door creaked open and the wary look bestowed upon me had me second guessing myself, once again.

“I did not expect to see you again Marcus,” she stated, but she didn’t seem disappointed by the fact.

“I didn’t expect to come back either, but I have learnt a few things that you deserve to know if you will hear me out.”

She only hesitated for a moment, before she walked away, leaving her door wide open.

She once again sat down upon her faithful chair, but there were no other in sight. That was until Mihaela fabricated one, from what seemed to be straight from thin air.

I took the proffered chair, and then braced myself for the conversation that was about to begin.

“Before you begin my dear ragazzo dolce, I must apologise for how I acted the last time we spoke. I was angry you would let her go down there after everything I had said, but it was unfair of me to put the blame upon your shoulders. We both know how stubborn she can be and it’s that stubbornness that makes me cling to the hope she is still out there somewhere.”

“Mihaela, that’s one thing I came to speak to you about. I know you will want to hear the new information regarding Unya first and foremost but I have a rather selfish request. You have a lot more wisdom and knowledge where the Gods are concerned than any of my people, whether or not you will admit that is irrelevant. But I need some advice and I worry if I were to tell you about Unya, then you may not want to speak to me again after.”

I saw her breathing speed up, and I wouldn’t have blamed her if she refused my request out-right. But, she did not. Instead she agreed to hear me out first, as long as I told her about her grand-daughter as soon as this was done.

“Thank you for this, I can imagine how hard it must have been for you to put your own feelings aside. The thing is, the Gods had gone quiet, too quiet if you ask me. But things have been changing, they’re so subtle the mortal populace has yet to notice but it won’t last forever.”

I had taken a pause, but she nodded her head for me to continue whatever it was I needed to say.

“People are turning on one another, riots are breaking out more and soldiers are becoming more trigger happy, but the most suspicious part is a lot of fatal ‘accidents’ have befallen those in command of the various soldier types. Not just here in England, but America, Russia, even Germany. A lot of this is going unnoticed, while the figure heads try to brush it under the table. But their own men, those who had been under their command had killed them. Whenever they were questioned about the said accident, they would all stand together, weaving the same story word for word. How could they be so in touch, there was no variation, even if it hadn’t been an insidious act how could their various tales all match, not just those in the same ranks but all across the world.”

“The only guess I would dare to hazard, would be that it was the work of Athena, the God of war. The reasons behind the acts are unknown to even me, and I would not like to assume anything where she is concerned. This worries me, there is no telling where this will end and what advantage this would pose for her.”

“Thank you for that Mihaela, if nothing else you have reassured me that my suspicions were not unfounded. Now as promised I have some news regarding Unya’s fate, but it only confirms she is alive. We still have no clue where she is in the underworld or what they have done to her.”

“You make it sound as though you know something has been done to her though, do not speak in riddles boy, tell me what you know,” she said it with a definitive edge to her voice, it was filled with hope but also insurmountable worry.

“Ishira felt her flame, but she cannot connect with her or to see where she resides. The only things she could tell for sure, Unya was controlling it and something within Unya has been changed. She could feel more power flowing through her and darkness, but the most confusing part was the emptiness she could sense. She feels Unya has lost something important within her and without it, she may never be the person we used to know.”

“Marcus don’t you see, my Nipotina is alive. Maybe it is shrouded in negativity but the fact remains she is at least, somewhat safe. To have survived for this amount of time within that sadistic brute’s clutches is a marvel. Plus we must remember the Unya we know is strong and stubborn. She will not go down without a fight and I know she will find a way back to us, before it is too late.”

Her last words filled me with dread, they sounded so ominous and even then, I had been left with no doubt she knew something we had yet to learn. She would not tell me what she knew and when I think back on that moment, all I can wish, is that she had, maybe then someone would have been able to prevent what would occur.