The Haures that they encountered in the past were even worse than Eve's scariest nightmares.The books proved to be historically inaccurate,or to be more clear,they provided a lighter version of events.

Eve had to witness Haures beat up the guard that had escorted them,in the most brutal of ways.So much so that by the end of the torture,the poor man was a ball on the floor nearly in tears from the pain.And all of this happened in front of the prisoners and everyone else that was present,who were obviously too frightened to intervene.

But Haures didn't seem affected by the guard's state.On the contrary,it seemed to excite him even more and continued insulting him with even more passion.

-You are useless! You had the nerve to bring before me the intruders of my palace,like they are guests! Like it wasn't bad enough that you failed to do your job.Let it be known to all! Haures's palace is unguarded and open for everyone to enter as they please! You are lucky you aren't dead. Same goes for you,strangers!

After he had finished humiliating the guard,who was half-dead by this point and his survival could not be guaranteed,he turned and walked in their direction.His eyes were blazing with anger but a small spark of curiosity was also present,like he wanted to know more about those who broke into his home.This proved that him lashing out on the guard was simply a display of power and authority and that he knew that his guards were more than capable.

-Speak! Before you pull out your tongues and you are not able to do it anymore!

-Try and I will break your arm

All sense of diplomacy,patience and self-control has been lost. And surprisingly,at this time it wasnt Eve's impulsiveness that had caused this.Haures,who was tied up beside her,decided that he wanted to confront his past self.

When they were captured,Thanos was still lying on the bed,asleep.A guard from the team took the child and informed them that Haures will decide his fate,also.If it wasn't for Paimon holding his brother,Eve would have witnessed a more bloody spectacle than the guard's beating.

-Untie him.If he has the courage to talk to me that way he is either suicidal or insane.In both cases he is not dangerous.

Both Eve and Paimon signaled their companion, with their eyes,and silently asked him to remain calm and collected which he seemed to understand and obey.He stood up respectfully and approached his past self with remarkable courage.

-Who are you? And why are you here?

Unfortunately,the only problem with their mission was that they didn't have the time to construct a believable story. Hopefully,Haures would come up with something. But before he had a chance to speak,another Shadow entered the room, approached her master and whispered something in his ear. When he heard the news,his expression started swifting from curiosity,to anger,to astonishment and back to curiosity before he approached the group and started looking at them more thoroughly than before.

-Its true my days have been a bit dull lately but it seems that this is about to change.

He turned away from the still tied up Eve and Paimon and proceeded to talk to his future self.

-Something strange is going on with all of you. The baby you were carrying when we arrested you was identical to the infant it was brought here a few days ago. Ay first,we thought that you were hired kidnappers that came here to take him but I was just informed that the baby was always in his room.So now,I have two identical babies in my hands.As if one wasn't enough.So start talking before I lose the last ounce of my patience.

-Its true. We were hired to kidnap the new Shadow. But then we decided against it because the punishment we would receive from your Excellency would be too much to bear.We had to convince our clients however that the job was done.So we sneaked into the palace and unnoticed we sneaked into the baby's room where using a strand of his hair we managed to create a convincing replica.We were caught however on our way out.

Paimon's response was quick,clever and above all convincing.Eve and Haures quickly confirmed his story and their captor seemed to believe it,for the most part.

-There is one thing, however,I do not understand.

He turned to his future self.

-If he is just a duplicate,why do you concern yourself so much with his well being? It is obvious that you are anxious to find out what I did with it.Why?

-It is hard to make a convincing replica,these days I consider it my masterpiece and I would like to receive it back unharmed.

-.... Understandable.Then you will be pleased to know that he is unharmed.Tired,but no one was permitted to touch him.

Haures's sigh of relief did not go unnoticed despite his best efforts to hide it.His future self, lifted his eyebrow and moved towards his throne.

-Honestly,I don't know why anyone would bother. That newborn was handed to me five days ago and it is just trouble.If it were up to me,I would pay you to take him away from here.But,the Dark Queen gave me a job and when I have a task,I do it perfectly.Now,I suppose I have to punish you.Just for the sake of pretending I am insulted or angry when in reality I am just disappointed you did not succeed.

Haures thought for a few minutes while everyone was waiting, holding their breaths.Then he pointed to each one of the prisoners while announcing his decisions.

-It is obvious that you aren't telling me the whole story so I cant punish you accordingly and I am not in the mood to torture you.I will keep you locked up in the dungeons until I have time to think this through.The woman will escort me back to my quarters.

He approached Eve and caressed the side of her cheek and neck in a vulgar and intimidating way that sent shivers down her spine. Eve had read about the way Haures used to treat women and if that section was just as lightly written as the rest then she preferred to be executed.Suddenly,a voice was heard from beside the wall.

-Haures, wait!

He released Eve and turned his head in the direction of the one that was calling him.

-What do you want,Fiona?

A woman appeared from the shadows wearing a starry dress of unimaginable beauty that complimented perfectly her black hair and sky blue eyes.It took Eve only a glance to recognise her savior but the name Haures had used was a wrong one.She was Fate.Why had he called her Fiona?

-You are aware that I need a maid, right? And this girl seems like a good candidate for the job.Please,allow me to take her in my quarters.I promise you that she will not be left alone under any circumstances.

Haures started contemplating on the thought and found it satisfactory.That way the team would be dissolved and this would make extracting information from the individuals easier.

-So be it. But you are responsible for her.If anything happens,I will find you accountable.

-Of course sir.

She bowed respectively as a sign of gratitude while the guards released Eve from her bounds and Fate,or Fiona as she seems to be called,gave her hand to help her new maid stand up.

-Thank you.

-It was no trouble.Come,follow me.

Eve followed Fiona out of the throne room while taking one last look at Haures and Paimon who were escorted in the dungeons and felt alone again.