45 Dreamer's Teachings ~ Leviathan

I simply stood there, in temporary shock. I'd never really known my mother, she'd left before I could start remembering faces, names or voices. It's not surprising, considering who my father is and all, but I never quite understood how I had vampiric genetics until Spectre explained it to me.

Add it to the list of things that I should have expected, definitely don't surprise me, and what certainly didn't surprise me was that she was somehow the queen of the city. Or whatever they'd chosen to call that title. Honestly, at this point? I wouldn't be surprised if Argotaurius was Raziel's long-lost cousin or whatever. The creators really decided to fuck me over, hm?

Once I regained focus somewhat and my vision stopped blurring, the lady Valerie spoke again. "It's been far too long, Leviathan." she said, her voice somewhat soft-spoken compared to when she had commanded Lucifer to leave immediately. "Although," she continued, "you must be here for a reason, no? I appreciate the sentiment right now, but get to the point. If it's regarding the war, we've already made a stand, although unfortunately Archon cannot stand with us. Which is a shame, really, but I guess there's no harm while we can still dedicate ourselves to the battle. Now, back to the matter at hand. Why have you come here in the midst of war, Leviathan Lesauvage?"

"Well," I cleared my throat. "We didn't come here for the war, actually."

Valerie raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

I continued. "We came here because we found the child of prophecy, the child of fate. The one who spits fortune telling like a broken waterspout, we thought you might be able to help her control it."

The vampire queen's face lit up. "Really? That's fantastic! Although, it might prove to be a little hard to train her in the time we have left, but we can certainly try. Just leave her to us, and I'll prove myself as a dreamer's teacher once more."

"When you say 'leave her to us' you mean...."

"Well, surely you have somewhere else to be, no? Thatchstone, perhaps?" she replies.

"How did you know that??"

"I know a lot of things, Leviathan. The mind is precious, and if I say so myself, all of you could do with a little training to shield out unwanted presences."

I took a deep breath. "So, you read our minds, then?"

"Yes, as soon as you arrived in the city. Portals may be a good method of transportation, but they aren't very....how do I say this...secretive." she laughs a little. "Don't worry, I didn't go deep. Just the immediate though process."

"Ah- I see." I replied. I then, remembered what I wanted to ask her earlier. "Valerie, why did you throw Lucifer out earlier? I may not know much about him- or anyone else for that matter, but he doesn't seem all that bad."

"Looks can be deceiving, Leviathan. Especially in that case. You best be wary around that boy, Leviathan. The chaos bringer gives no mercy, that I know well. You must remember that somehow he worked his way up to being the Void's lord and leader. Yes, he may seem alright at first glance. So did your father, his brother. So did your so-called friend Trophonia, didn't she? There's little left in this world you can trust, my son."

".....very well." I replied, now even more conflicted. There was definitely something that she left out on purpose, although I couldn't quite tell why, or what it could be.

"All I ask is that you be careful. Demons are unpredictable at times, void more so than others. It twists your mind in ways unimaginable, and if that angel was ever a good man, that persona is long gone."

"So," Lykfilia spoke up. "I take it you'll take her in for now, Lady Valerie?"

"Yes, we can take care of your problem for now, while you go elsewhere." she replies, looking at Reyna, who had been silent up until now. "I apologize for not including your opinions in these discussions, but we can't afford to argue on terms at the current situation. You're quite the weapon if you were to fall into the wrong hands, and we cannot risk that happening." She stood up from her desk, laying her quill down. "Archon, would you direct Reyna to the parlour? I'll be there in a moment, I have to talk to these two first, before they continue their journey."

"Yes, Lady Valerie." he gestured for Reyna to follow him. "This way, please." They leave soon after, walking down the corridor in the other direction. As they were slowly disappearing out of view, Valerie spoke up from inside the room.

"So, you two are absolutely sure about going to Thatchstone, then?"

We both nodded simultaneously.

"We- I thought it could be a good idea to go there, see where they stand and what they've been told."

"I see. Is Veronica still their queen? If so, you might have some problems getting in and out unscathed."

Lykfilia looked shocked. "Veronica was crowned?"

"Yes, I thought surely you would know. After all, wasn't she your friend once upon a time?"

Lykfilia shook her head. "Yes, but.." With a sigh, she rubbed her shoulder anxiously. "She never paid me much mind. She was even the one to sell me out to the elders because of Leviathan, back then. If she was crowned, that means this was her plan all along, it would seem."

The Lady Valerie nodded absentmindedly. "I see." she replies. "Well, I could get you right to the outskirts of Thatchstone, if you wish. It's not too far from here actually."

"Hang on," I said. "We're not in the mountain range?"

Valerie laughed at me. "No, Leviathan. Although our military headquarters are indeed in the mountains, the city of Yevalone is underground. It stretches across most of Araycien, it's relatively easy to get where you need to be."

Ah. That made sense....in a way.

"I see. And you're going to get us to Thatchstone?" I asked again.

"Yes. Turn here please," she replied, gesturing to the left. "Continue down this street, take a right turn at the next opportunity, then continue until you find a path to the surface." Valerie smiled warmly, fangs glinting in the soft underground illumination. "I wish I could go further with you, but I need to speak to Videns about many things, it seems. Be safe, Leviathan Fowler."

With that, the vampire turned around, going back the direction we'd come from. She was muttering something under her breath, something that I couldn't hear. I turned to Lykfilia, who was already looking ahead, looking to see where the path would take us.

"So," I began, "Are you ready to go back to your home?"

She smiles weakly, clearly nervous, maybe even frightened?

"As ready as I could ever be."