The silence hung heavy in the immense throne room.
Fishlegs sat upright, motionless, staring into the shadows. The torches cast dancing reflections on the stone walls.
The big door opened slowly.
A hooded man entered, his step hesitant. He walked to the center of the room, then fell to his knees.
—My lord...
The voice trembled.
Fishlegs stood up slowly.
— What's the news?
A long silence.
"We…failed.
The air seemed to freeze.
— Miria escaped us. The others intervened. We suffered losses.
A sinister crack sounded: the throne cracked under Fishlegs's grip.
—You mean... that you came back alive... to tell me this?
The man shivered.
— P-Forgive us…
Fishlegs slowly raised his hand.
The shadow closed around the body of the messenger. Heartbreaking screams rang out. The bones broke. The flesh twisted. Slowly. Cruelly.
The other men looked down, terrified.
When it all stopped, all that was left was a broken body on the ground.
"Let this be a lesson to you," said Fishlegs in an icy voice.
— Disappear.
Everyone fled immediately.
Later, in his apartments...
Fishlegs exploded.
He overturned a table, smashed mirrors, threw books against the walls. Each broken object barely relieved his rage.
Then, out of breath, he sank onto his bed.
A voice suddenly rose from the shadows:
— Well... well... it looks like a tornado passed through here.
Fishlegs gave an amused smile and turned his head.
— Leana…
She slowly emerged from the darkness and leaned against the back of a chair.
— Looking at the state of the room, I assume they failed?
— Yes… but it's only a postponement. Miria will eventually belong to me.
He narrowed his eyes.
— What intrigues me is what you really want. You gave me the information about Morena's attack so I could take advantage of the chaos... You never do anything for free.
Léana crossed her arms.
— I need the clairvoyant.
Fishlegs burst out laughing.
— No… no… that's not enough. A clairvoyant is worth much more than that.
"Your grimoire is worth even more," she replied coldly.
—And I offered you on a platter the person who knew where he was. But because of YOUR incapable men—
Fishlegs sat up suddenly.
— Léana… be careful what you say. You might regret it.
She approached slowly, her gaze hard.
— I will tell you the same thing. Unlike you, I have nothing to lose.
Silence vibrated between them.
Then Fishlegs burst out laughing.
"Well… this is the first time I've seen you like this. And I love it.
He stared at her for a long time.
— Tell me… why do you really want the clairvoyant?
—It's private.
— Very good… I respect.
He huffed, then smiled slowly.
— Okay, Leana. I'm ready to leave it to you.
He approached her.
— But on one condition...