"Hmm," hummed Brutus as the lights slowly flared into being within the library. Of which caused the children to blink and rub their eyes until they adjusted to the light. Whereas he simply turned a few pages within the old book whilst the pinpoints of eyes that were within his metallic skull flickered from left to right.

"What's wrong, Uncle Brutus?" called out Nox with widened eyes, enlarged pupils, and his eyes flat against his head.

However, instead of glancing up at the supposed trap the hybrid had laid, the other simply gave the appearance of a sigh, "There are some things in this book that children must not be exposed to until they reach a more adult age."

"Like what?" Anasi called out, quite curious as to why the old Skeleton before them would halt in the story.

"Torture, murder, and the like," Brutus mumbled slowly, unaware that the Arachne had paled, the twins' ears became perked, or that the hybrid had given a yawn of boredom in response, "Well, it seems He had chosen quite the story, but I can only tell you all some snippets here and there. For it is quite the dark one as the chapters continue to progress." At this time, his eyes did glance up at his small audience, but it appeared as though he was not exactly looking upon their persons, but towards something unknown. Though, if one was not used to the presence, nor mannerisms, of the intelligent Undead, then one would simply see them as nothing more than ever-grinning creatures caught between Life and Death.

"Well," he repeated slowly, unsure of how to proceed correctly, "Because I cannot tell everything to you, I believe I can speak of the ending to this story. However, there will be some pieces missing or removed due to your ages. Is this alright?"

"Huh?" the twins and Nox cocked their heads to the right, for they did not understand.

"Okay, Lord Brutus," spoke up the Arachne, who then turned to his friends in order to explain, "He's skipping to the end because the story is better there."

"Oh," came the long, drawn out realisation from the trio as the lights dimmed into darkness. However, they were still somewhat confused, but would not make much of a fuss so long as the story continued.

*****

To summarise what had occurred up to the point we will be continuing from, our Lord's past self had travelled northward along with His Chosen seven and a pair of Undying in the form of four-armed, Human Skeletons. These nine, at the direction of Himself, took over several keeps where the child was supposedly kept. Unfortunately, each one led to a clue which only led them to another, then another, and so on and so forth.

However, after the fifth castle, in which she was not found, He and His began to reduce each one into rubble. This, of course, caused someone unsavory to catch wind of their persons, but were eventually captured and tortured by a very unhappy Fallen God. Of whom was quite tired of the game these villains had set up in order to either entertain themselves, or the Gods they served.

After this being, who turned out to be the King's own brother, was caught and tortured, he reveled to them what was most likely to be the true location of the Princess. This led to them dragging this male along with them, with the promise of a painful death if he lied to them. He was quite feverish at that point, and adamantly assured them that she was kept in this unknown castle.

This leads to where I shall pick up for their story, as they had found themselves within quite the pleasing courtyard. For it was full of flowers of every colour, several trees lining the eastern and western walls, as well as having nearly one hundred archers pointing their arrows at Him and His servants.

"Halt," cried out an archer in red and gold livery as He slowly made his way towards the Keep's main door. His expression was of smoldering anger, and indeed, if one were to peer close enough, one would be able to witness a few trails of smoke coming out of each ear.

"Halt, I said," shouted the same voice, just as an arrow was loosed towards His person, which embedded itself into the ground about a metre ahead. Unfortunately for themselves, this caught His attention, which led to the mass slaughtering of these archers. For all He had to do was simply raise up His right hand, and snapped His fingers. Which then allowed the Undying to launch their attacks.

As this occurred, their prisoner, who was named Duke Richardson, shat himself as he witnessed the pair slaughtering with abandonment whilst he was being dragged behind Lady Sia and Lady Shauu. This one wore a tattered green coloured robe which had the look of being torn to shreds at some point, and only barely mended. Whereas the ears and tail, which marked this one as a feline Kin, were removed at one point. Which led to him stumbling several times, as the missing appendage created a situation where balance was rather difficult after a lifetime of having such a thing.

"You had better not be lying to my person," He growled as they reached the great door, which appeared to be made of an unknown, dark substance. However, this was simply a coating for the door, and was no doubt a trap, but this did not concern He who was as strong as a Minour God in His state. Which meant that He simply reached out with His right index finger, and barely tapped the structure.

Within mere heartbeats, the door burst inwards, shredding into those who stood with tower shields in order to intercept them. Unfortunately, none of them survived, and the Duke was dragged through their bodies, because he had fallen over from his legs quivering and his mind going into shock.

"Find them," His voice boomed throughout the structure, and only rose in anger with each syllable spoken, "Find those who are not dead, and bring them to ME." This led to the Chosen vanishing from his side so that they many search the whole of the keep. As well as the sound of shattered glass, the breaking of stone, and the loud screams for help resounded throughout the building.

In turn, this caused the little Duke to become quite fearful, as he had never experienced such a travesty upon his person. Ah, but you see, little ones, even though you are confused, you seem to forget what He is able to accomplish. For although the Kin was quite fearful at that moment, he had forgotten about the torture through His ability. Which was His ability to drain the knowledge out of others, and make them forget it ever happened. Therefore, seeing all of this before his very eyes was quite disheartening.

Within a span of a mark, the Chosen had returned with many individuals in tow. From the many servants, to a few cowardly commanders who believed it was far safer to be within, than without. These ones groveled and begged before our Lord, but were swiftly executed for both being an enemy, and pathetic.

However, this also led to their captive, Duke Richardson, who was there to point out who was the Princess. That is, if she was even there.

"That's her," his voice quivered as he pointed towards a large creature standing in the centre of a circle of fearful maids, "That's Princess Marissa Del Gato."

"Is it now?" His lips twitched as a few of the Chosen were sent to usher the group closer to him. Where he found a mass of jiggling flesh and cloth in the centre.

"My Lord," it cried out, launching itself onto His person. Which was soon revealed to be a large, fat female, feline Kin in a white dress as though it were about to be given away at a wedding ceremony. "Thank you for rescuing me from these despicable men, my Lord."

Oh, how I wish I were present to see His reaction to this. For He believed He would be rescuing a child, not an adult, and a large one at that. Though I can count on the others who have seen His reaction, I still desired to see it.

Unfortunately for everyone, including this "Princess", He exploded into a fit of rage. Which, in turn, caused the release of the Madness which was inside all Undead creatures. Thus resulting in the total destruction of the keep, its inhabitants, and the mountains surrounding such a place.