Chapter 6

Shortly after arriving in the neon-lit streets of Lacuna's city, Salem found herself surrounded by a sense of wonder she had never experienced before. Using her vast experience of the Lacuna, Cora made sure to take her newfound friend to every interesting corner of the station. Most of the city was dominated by towering black skyscrapers dotted with red lights and colored windows. The streets of the city were entirely made for pedestrian usage, as all vehicles had taken to the skies instead, creating an automated lane of traffic far above the surface. Nearly every block of the city contained pearl-white streets and lush outcrops of blue trees and purple grass.

The farther Salem wandered, the more she was convinced that every inch of the city had been made for aesthetic beauty. Cora's favorite location was of course the old park in the middle of the city-dotted with old stone churches and large white trees. Just like her, the park was more of a memorial to the older days of Lacuna. After some time spent admiring the city, Salem and Cora sat at a rather ornate silver fountain in the middle of the city square, where they happily consumed a set of what the humans would call "ice cream".

But not every attraction was so simple and palatable, for Salem was quick to notice the most striking aspect of the station was all around her.

"Tella," Salem sneered in a lower voice as she drew closer to Cora. "Countless amounts of them, all with their pale skin and silver hair. Just like that girl Pyri. Look at them, with their stupid dresses and ridiculous bodies. Imagine trying that hard just to feel threatened by some foreign girl."

Having not forgotten her last encounter, the red-eyed girl was sure to be wary of Lacuna's suspicious populace. Something about their aloof expressions and long cold stares caused Salem to become deeply unsettled. She had seen enough from the surface of Peruvia to know what the deranged and perverted were capable of.

"Are they always like this?" Salem whispered to Cora as if her poorly concealed insults had gone unheard. "It's not as bad as some others I've seen, but still, don't they seem off to you?"

"It wasn't always this way Salem," Cora frowned. "But I assure you they're harmless, let's just keep enjoying ourselves."

Still unconvinced of the Tella's innocence, the only relief Salem could find would be in the ever-present watch of the Valekry, who seemed to be stationed throughout the city in force. As long as their sense of justice could be trusted, Salem could rest at ease. But never again would she allow herself to be alone with a Tella of unsavory conduct. The veteran girl may have been toughened over the years, but even she knew the fear of defilement wasn't so easily forgotten.

"I must admit there aren't usually this many," Cora exclaimed as she pointed to the Valekry. "Not for many years."

"What do you mean?" Salem frowned as she attempted to hide her identity as a murderer. "Did something bad happen?"

"It was a long time ago dear. You know very well the futility of awakening old memories. But I will say this, a bit of tragic irony to brighten the mood. Once there was a cataclysm of sorts. The Valekry handled it as they always did, but what followed was an era of serenity so long and boring that...many began to wish for a second apocalypse," The older Tella sighed as she pull Salem aside to a quaint blue tree. "You've heard of my daughters. They...were the first to fall into that new era of drudgery. Before long, suicide was rampant in the city, and we couldn't do anything to stop it. I mean it's not like the Valekry can hack depression in half now, can they? In the end, It seems everyone needs a little strife in their life, no matter how much you fight for a better world."

"I can relate. Sometimes the worst part of my life was when nothing happened at all. I always wondered if the humans had such problems. With so little time, I can't imagine they ever became so unamused with life. Either way, I'm sorry to hear about your daughters." Salem sighed, not realizing she was telling the truth.

"Why did you bring her here then, if the city is sick," Anger interjected as he pointed toward the countless Valekry that patrolled the city square. "These ones wait for something. It cannot be safe."

"I assure you such events were eons ago dear." Cora smiled as she attempted to ease Salem's worries. "And besides a handful of incidents concerning self-harm isn't cause for catastrophe."

"Don't be sorry you brought me here Cora," Salem smiled as she took the woman. "I've loved it so far."

"That's good to hear my dear. Let us hope nothing else sours the mood then hm?"

As the group proceeded to venture further down the crowded streets of Lacuna, they were relieved to find nothing else unusual. Whatever past crimes had been committed by daughter and child seemed to have gone unnoticed. But just to be safe, Salem made sure to pause every now and then and confirm she was indeed unmonitored. Only then did the witch believe she could perhaps carry on with her day, free of worry and conflict. But just before she could turn to Cora and carry on a chilling sensation ran down the girl's spine.

"You really believe they cannot see you?" a feminine voice whispered behind Salem's back.

Turning to face the voice, Salem saw nothing, only to then look down and spot a small purple flower. The strange entity appeared at first familiar to the red flower from Glacia. But upon further inspection Salem could see a strange eyeball growing from the center of the flower, staring deep into her soul with great condemnation. Just then, the eyeball began to blink, sending ripples of energy in Salem's direction. Judging by the lack of response from everyone around her, it would seem only the red-eyed girl could detect and feel such a vile presence. Salem then closed her eyes and winced as the onslaught of energy wracked her mind.

"look upon the world," the flower commanded.

Salem struggled for some time, with Cora and Anger soon taking notice. But their aid would come too late as the girl could no longer bear the pain and opened her eyes. A wave of light then burst forth from Salem's face with such intensity that it brought pain to all those present in the vicinity.

"Salem!" Cora cried out as she fell over.

The older Tella had every desire to reach out and comfort the seemingly possessed girl but soon found herself assailed by a storm of terrible desires and memories. It was as if the feeling of malice had consumed her mind, causing her to reel in pain. It was fortunate then that Cora was never a particularly violent being and was hardly affected by the red flower's true effects. Anger on the other hand seemed confused by Salem's outburst as if everything he knew had been torn to shreds. In his mind, the very directives he was given at birth were being overridden by a force he could not possibly understand.

"Run," Anger stammered as he managed to control himself. "Before they turn."

Rising to her feet, Salem was shocked to see the scale of her actions, as every Tella and Valekry in the city square seemed to be stricken with madness just like Cora and Anger. But not all within Lacuna could handle their own minds, nor could they possess enough purity of heart. It was only a matter of time till many surrendered to their inner desires, causing a chain reaction of brutal violence.

Just as Cora had suggested, most of the Tella desired their own end as they clawed their way to the nearest hazard in a desperate attempt to kill themselves. But as for the Valekry, their minds were not so simplistic. What little desires they had were vague and mysterious, and could not be so easily predicted. Many of the city's guards were then shocked to see their own brethren bear arms against both Tella and Valekry in a fit of chaotic violence. Soon the air was enveloped in blood and death, as suicide and murder filled the streets of Lacuna's city square.

"How-," Salem gasped, not yet realizing how she could have caused this. "The flower?"

Frozen in place, the witch continued to stare in disbelief as the city tore itself apart. Never did she expect the power within her to be capable of such destruction, nor was she ready to feel the guilt of such a mistake. Only after feeling the bloodied hand of another did Salem return to her senses.

"Salem!" Cora screamed as she struggled to stand. "We need to leave!"

A massive explosion then erupted from a nearby building as the Valekry continued to battle one another with every weapon at hand. Having regained his own mind, Anger was quick to deflect the structure's debris away from Cora and Salem, before entering a desperate battle against the frenzied Valekry who drew closer. Using all that he learned from his past encounters, Anger made sure to push the women as far away from the conflict as he could, all while dismembering anything that drew close. Luckily for Salem's child, it appeared the crazed machines preferred to throw aside their ranged weaponry in favor of blade and claw. Anger of course had no intention of fighting fairly and took advantage of any firearm he could find in order to obliterate his enemy from a distance. But even with such advantages the fight in Lacuna's blood streets would not be an easy one, a fact Anger came to realize after he narrowly avoided a lance thrown toward the back of his head. Turning to face his enemy, Anger made sure to catch the tail end of the plasma-heated projectile and hurl it back toward the enemy with great precision. Such craftiness from Salem's child would be repeated time and time again as he struggled to keep the crazed Valekry at bay.

"This way!" Cora pointed as she ducked under Anger's swinging arm. "That old church near the park should take us to an emptier side of the city!"

Anger nodded in approval as he carelessly tossed aside his overheated weapon before snatching another from the ground. If he was to somehow escort the feeble women across the battlefield, then he would need all manner of weapons to succeed. The fearsome Valekry then began to brandish the bodies of the dead, using their fallen shapes to block the onslaught of enemies that crashed into him in a random frenzy. Whenever his latest shield would crumble under the pressure of combat he merely cast it away in exchange for another. Cora could only watch in horror as her own people were used like toys of battle. But she knew better than to hesitate and continued to pull the shell-shocked Salem along.

But even when armed with both shield and rifle, Anger could not keep the enemy away at all times. Some Valekry managed to break through the line of defense and make a desperate lunge for the pale women. Cora winced as one set of claws narrowly cut across her leg, causing an excruciating amount of pain.

"Just keep going," Cora gasped as Anger looked back to see her wounds. "We have to save Salem."

Unfortunately, it soon became clear not even Salem's child could contain her cataclysm for long, as he soon found himself trapped deep within a circle of death. If it were not for the mindless tendency of the Valekry to turn on one another, survival would have been impossible.

I'm sorry," Salem cried as she tripped over a Tella's mutilated corpse. "I didn't mean to."

"Now is not the time for such things!" Cora grimaced as she reached down to help Salem. "I promise we can-."

But just then, Cora's voice ceased to exist as her eyes widened in pain. Salem lay in shock as a black hand burst forth from her friend's chest, covering them both in blood. In but a brief and cruel moment, Cora was gone, slain by a crawling Valekry too small for Anger to notice among the sea of dead that soon littered the city.

"Cora," Salem stammered, unable to handle what her eyes had witnessed. "No-."

Salem was then plucked from the scene as Anger carried her way. He knew better than to stay and mourn, for the horde of the frenzied appeared to multiply as more of the city was engulfed in chaos. It seemed wherever Salem's crimson curse went, madness and turmoil were soon to follow.

"Get a hold of yourself, they are still coming," Anger growled as he smashed his way into the old building Cora had guided him towards.

Salem's child was out of ammo and energy, making his search for safety all the more desperate. Not even his many blades stored within his own body could function any longer, as what little remained of their edge had been broken upon the enemy horde. But no matter where Anger ran he seemed unable to avoid further conflict. For within the old chapel, there appeared a lone Valekry who stood calmly atop a mountain of death. To make matters worse the rank and power of the mindless knight seemed unmatched as his large frame dwarfed those he had already slain. It was as if the power of Salem's outburst did not change all creatures equally. Some appeared lost and confused, whereas others gained clarity of mind.

Practically out of options, Anger raised his fists in one final gambit to save his mother. All he could do was hope for the best and fight to the end without fear. Salem on the other hand appeared more broken than ever as her eyes began to trail off.

"I killed her," Salem spoke to herself as Anger began his struggle against the unusually fearsome Valekry. "I killed her."

But just when all hope seemed lost, a red bolt of plasma came whizzing through the air before striking the large Valekry in the head. In just one shot the unstoppable beast was dead, despite his higher rank and durability. In Anger's mind, no novice could have landed such a shot, adding some credence to whoever intervened.

"Hopefully that'll be the end of it," A masculine voice bellowed, its echo originating from the chapel's rafters. "It's a regrettable fate."

Salem stood in awe as the Valekry revealed himself, leaping down from the ceiling in a graceful yet intimidating manner. His chassis was nearly as white as her skin and embroidered with royal gold. A single red-eye blinked confidently as the floral patterns around its lens glimmered gently in the light. In Salem's mind, this new Valekry was far different than the rest.

"And you might be?" Salem sniffled as she wiped a single tear from her cheeks.

"Pardon me. My name is Korus Remani, captain of the honor guards and the princess's right hand. I am at your service," He beamed, forming an imaginary smile despite the tense situation. "May I ask who you might be?

"It should not matter to you," Anger growled as he checked his surroundings for more of the frenzied Valekry. "Are you like the rest?"

"I understand your wariness, but I'm afraid you have the wrong impression of me and my inquiries," Korus replied with another touch of gracefulness. "My orders are to take you to her highness right away. For your safety."

"A princess?" Salem frowned, assuming the worst. "What would royalty want with us, besides trouble."

"Don't be silly. She loves outsiders. And besides, this is no place for you to stay. Once my brother decontaminates the area, nothing will remain in this sector of the city."

"Decontaminates?"

"We both know what happened here cannot be allowed to spread." Korus sighed. "As you have likely surmised, this is not the first catastrophe we've faced."

"I can imagine," Salem lied, not wanting to reveal her role in the incident. "So does everyone always lose their mind?"

"The princess will inform you on such matters if she so chooses. But I will say this. Lacuna has had...a history of mental issues."

"I've heard. And if that really is true, then I suppose we don't have much of a choice here," the red-eyed girl sighed as she looked back toward the carnage of the city one last time.

"Then do not tally here," Anger hissed as he nudged Salem forwards. "We do not know if they will return. And this thing is our only chance."

To her surprise, Salem was treated with an immense amount of respect upon approaching the white machine. Korus held her hand as if she was a queen, his grip gentle enough to ease any tensions in her mind. And as he pulled her away from the corpses and towards the back of the chapel, he made sure to toss Anger a spare sidearm as a gesture of good faith. For a time it seemed the knight's only purpose was indeed to protect the strange girl his princess wished to receive.

"Perhaps," Salem thought. "This encounter won't end in disaster."

Korus pulled the girl closer as he began to wave his jeweled hand in the air. A sleek vessel similar to the one Salem previously encountered then appeared out of nowhere, its mirrored reflection providing the most excellent camouflage. The pale girl frowned at the sight of the familiar ship, realizing just how easily its clever technology had ambushed her in the past. In her mind, there was still much reason to remain cautious of those in Lacuna, even if they appeared to help.

"This way please," Korus smiled as he gestured towards the base of his vessel. "But do be careful in the-."

But as Salem hurriedly stepped into the light beneath the ship, she was taken aback by the sudden gravitational lift and nearly lost her balance. Luckily the white knight was rather fast on his feet and was able to pull the girl back down to the earth to prevent her embarrassing tumble. Realizing how easily she had been predicted, Salem then stared at the machine in blatant confusion.

"How very odd," the girl whispered to herself as Korus gently guided her into the ship. "He knew I'm not experienced with the commodities of this place."

Once safely onboard Salem was sure to find the nearest seat and stare out its window with great anticipation. Despite the horrid events of that day, she was still eager to see what strange event awaited her next. Ever since the red flower appeared in the depths of Glacia, each moment of the girl's life had been carefully strung without her control. And in Salem's mind, a summon from the so-called princess of Lacuna meant the chaos of her adventure was far from over.

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During her short trip in the familiar vessel, Salem grinned with amazement at the clear details of Lacuna's center palace as she drew closer and closer. She had always dreamed of castles and royalty just like every normal girl in Peruvia and was unusually content to see one with her own eyes.

"We are here," Korus motioned as he opened the larger bay door of the Valekry ship before guiding Salem down the ramp. "I imagine she's waiting for you even now."

Soon enough the red-eyed girl found herself stepping off the ship and onto the stony ground of the palace's ramparts. If it were not for the traumatizing events of the previous hour, she might have been truly pleased. But her time for calm reflection came to an end when an assortment of orange-colored Valekry appeared from the shadows of the castle's ramparts and surrounded her with haste.

Salem may have only seen a few Valekry during her time in Lacuna, but even she knew the royal honor guards were a unique threat with their larger size and ornate armor. With a sigh, the rebellious girl stood in place and waited for the machines to speak their part. She would much rather play nice on such an occasion than be skewered by the tall black spears held tightly by the imposing guards. But strangely enough, no words had yet escaped any of the machines as they stared at Salem in complete silence.

"She is a visitor, my friends, the princess requested her," Korus intervened as he gestured toward the silent Valekry. "Did you not already know this?"

The honor guards then stood motionless for what felt like hours before swiftly stepping aside, revealing a well-protected path for Salem to cross the ramparts. But before the girl could take even a single step, a pale figure with a glimmering crown appeared on the other end of the path. It was then that Salem became certain the princess had come.

"You never told me her name," Salem whispered while locking her gaze on the beautiful woman who drew closer with each passing moment.

"Ina," Korus replied while simultaneously calling out to the princess.

"My goodness!" Ina shouted as she began to run as fast as her heels could take her. "Is that the visitor?"

"Indeed my princess. It is good to see you again."

"Oh Korus, it is good to see you too," the blue-eyed girl smiled as she temporarily ignored her guest. "You have been gone far too long."

It had been some time since the friends had last seen each other. Ina began to scold the machine for his absence, as she was unbearably lonely without him. But after realizing she had already created a scene, the princess regained her posture and turned to Salem as if nothing had happened.

"You are the fabled Tella princess?" Salem smirked, as she shamelessly eyed every inch of the pale girl. "Not bad."

"You must be Salem. It is my pleasure to meet you," Ina smiled as she bowed her head and raised her dress.

"What's something like you doing in a place like this?"

"Oh, I'm sure you have so many questions! And I shall answer them all in due time, come along now!" The princess laughed as she pulled Salem by the arm. "There are far more comfortable places for a chat I assure you."

Ina was almost like a giddy schoolgirl as she dragged Salem away. Both Anger and Korus trailed behind, their gaze now fixed on each other. It wasn't long at all before there was tension between the machines. They were both smart enough to discern the odd nature of one another as well as the many mysteries that shrouded their origin.

Salem would soon find herself pulled deep into the castle's interior. At first, she believed her path was a sort of trap designed to isolate her. But any suspicions she held were suddenly stifled by a familiar warmth emanating from Ina's chest.

"Who are you really?" Salem thought to herself as her own heart began to pound with excitement.

The princess carried on through countless halls filled with nothing in her way but rotting tapestry and unflinching guards. She had no interest in taking her dear guest to such dab locations. In her mind, Salem deserved the greatest luxury of all - a seat in the secluded royal gardens.

"You seem overly eager," Salem scoffed as she was gently pushed into a white wooden chair atop Ina's library.

"I've never had company in this place. It's...enjoyable," Ina smiled, as she expressed her love of the garden.

Salem attempted to form her usual frown but to no avail. She was still desperate for answers. And after the loss she had experienced earlier that evening, she could use the distraction.

"What do you want?" Salem sighed.

Ina's smile faded just as quickly as it formed. She appeared devastated by the simple question as if a knife had been stuck in her back. Salem laughed nervously, surprised to see the strange girl so easily defeated. There was no retort or clever trick to be found within the princess. She meekly gazed downwards, the crippling loneliness practically seeping from her body.

"I...don't know," Ina frowned. "Perhaps I hoped for you to play along. Selfish, I know. What kind of princess invites over a guest for her own gain?"

"A princess who values others," Salem smirked, playfully tossing a dead leaf toward Ina. "You're the first thing here to want something from me. All the others kept their secrets, usually to their own detriment."

"Truly? What has happened to you?"

"Nothing good."

Despite her wealth of knowledge, Ina hadn't the slightest clue what horrors dwelled in her kingdom. She had chosen long ago to forsake those responsibilities and focus solely on locating her family. The princess shook her head in dismay as she realized how poorly she had performed, especially when it came to Salem.

"Are you safe? Do you need shelter? I can provide whatever you need," Ina frowned. "I apologize deeply for not offering my aid earlier."

Realizing she could now exploit the princess's fears, Salem began to scheme. There was certainly a need for resources in her new uncertain life. If she were to tend to herself and her child while remaining isolated, she would require a copious amount of aid. This of course would not be a problem for Ina, who nodded hastily the moment she heard Salem's requests.

"I'm sure Korus will be able to help. I'd prefer he takes his mind off of more troubling affairs for the time being. He...hasn't taken the deaths of his brothers lightly. Kalor and Kalar were truly good men. One was colder than the other. But in a way, they shined brighter because of that opposition."

Sweet victory turned sour for the red-eyed girl the moment Ina mentioned those familiar names. Salem froze, unable to effectively claim innocence on the matter. She knew for certain that Anger had murdered those machines, and knew who exactly was to blame for his actions. After all, her son was a mere reflection of her own character, and in a similar situation, she would have slaughtered them all. An awkward standoff between the two women swiftly emerged. But Ina had no intention of exposing her guest, even if she greatly suspected her role in the calamity.

"Cruel intent does not have to lead to death. I hope you realize that." Ina sighed as she rose from her chair, circling the pale girl.

Salem released an embarrassed groan, her shame rising to its peak. There was no way for her to escape the predicament. And eventually, the truth would have to be released.

"What do you want Ina? Truly, you must desire something. Everyone does."

Once again, the princess appeared visibly distressed. She knew better than anyone that true ambition required some sort of vitality to begin with. And since her heart had long since gone dormant, any vision of hers would be worthless. Ina continued to pace around Salem while twirling a blue flower with great disdain.

"I...," she whimpered, holding back the tears. "I don't know what I want. Do you know how that feels Salem? It hurts like nothing else. And do you know why?"

"Nothing is more painful than the lack of pain itself. You feel hollow. I understand that." Salem finished.

"I just wish I could be honest with you. But truly, I lack the strength."

With great hesitation, Salem decided to comfort the princess. She reached out her arm and placed a gentle hand on the pale girl's shoulder. Ina nearly gasped with shock, turning her gaze towards the red eyes that stared into her soul.

"I can't imagine meeting someone else like me. I'd hate them. It could be jealousy or some odd sense of mercy, but I'd want nothing more than to kill them where they stood. For how could I ever trust something so vile? I was never good. That's why I don't hate you, Ina. I know that may be a surprise. But I don't relate to you. Not in the same way at least. Pain can take many different forms, and I feel we experience it in different ways. And for that, you have my sympathy."

Never before had Salem spoken so profoundly. For years, she couldn't give a care in the world for hollow words. But now her efforts appeared sincere.

Ina smiled as she offered her blue flower to Salem, "Take it. It means more than you know."

"Does it come in red? I mean you know, for fashion's sake. You of all people should understand some vanity. Just look at you. Overcompensating a little?"

The princess smiled as her flower suddenly transformed into the exact shade of crimson that glimmered in Salem's eyes. The action seemed odd to the witch, if not a little impressive. But to Ina, what little reservations she held about her newfound family had vanished.

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"They appear more focused," Anger remarked, staring out into the endless ranks of royal guards. "A better soldier."

"They were never given life, something we all tend to take for granted. For without a creator, we have nothing to emulate. These guards were built not born," Korus sighed.

"You act as if there is some distinction for machines," Anger scoffed.

"When you first looked upon your mother, what did you feel?"

Anger paused for a moment as he began to think. Never before had he taken a moment to ponder his independence, especially when it came to the mother he defended so fiercely. Realizing he had struck a nerve, Korus turned toward the two girls.

"I do hope they can reconvene. It is high time she found a friend in a place like this," Korus sighed as he skillfully shifted the conversation.

Both machines watched on as the girls continued to talk, their laughter echoing throughout the halls. Anger then caught a brief glimpse of Salem holding a red flower in her hand, before turning away. As long as his mother was safe, there was no cause for concern from the loyal machine.

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After concluding her visit with the princess Salem sat alone in Cora's observatory with nothing but her guilt to occupy the time. She hadn't the courage to say or do anything for days, only taking the time to barely feed the animals before returning to her silent agony. Had she been in a better state of mind, she would have bothered to ask Ina about the carnage in the city streets of Lacuna and perhaps gain valuable intel. But Salem was too broken to even think about such things.

"I'm sorry," the pale girl whispered as she stared into the night sky of Lacuna.

It seemed all Salem could do then was clench her head and pray the memories of her most recent failure would fade away like all the rest. But in her darkest moment, a faint spark of hope appeared in her mind. The girl then began to recall the most hopeless moment in her life-the day she made Anger.

"A child," Salem paused, allowing her most delusional thoughts to drive her forward. "I must have another."

As if on cue, Anger arrived at the observatory, brushing past the overgrown vines as he appeared to drag something in. The machine knew his mother well and had already surmised her next move. And so after revisiting the city while Salem wallowed alone, Anger had brought her a robotic corpse, this time fresh and intact.

"You did that for me?" Salem frowned, realizing she would most certainly use the spare parts to make her new child. "You didn't have to."

"I know what you want," Anger growled as he tossed the body at Salem's feet. "I...do not like to see you in such a way. So do what you have to."

The Valekry then stormed outside the room, presumably to brood alone. He did not care for his mother's antics, yet could not stand to see her so distressed. Such an unhealthy state could very well cause his mother pain, and so the machine had no choice but to push aside his own preferences and give her what she wanted most. No matter how much Salem infuriated him, Anger could never harden his heart for long.

The sounds of machinery reverberated across the night as the mother worked tirelessly to bring her child to life. But unlike before, there was no violent emergence from Salem's flower. Instead, the mysterious plant stayed silent, allowing its host to do most of the work. But this was no problem for Salem, who remembered much of her experience with Anger. She was something of a master when it came to the inner workings of the Valekry and soon brought the battle-scarred corpse to life. All that was left was a slight blessing from the flower, who projected its red glow to the palm of Salem's hand.

"Valor. Your name will be Valor," Salem smiled as her power seeped into the repaired Valekry.

For a brief moment, the machine seemed confused, its singular eye drifting towards Salem ever so slowly.

"Mother?" Valor spoke, his voice much stronger compared to Anger's when he was born. "Are you alright? You seem distraught."

"My dear child, it is so good to see you awake," Salem laughed, her face appearing just as excited as when she created her first child.

"You find yourself to be undesirable?" Valor continued as if already understanding a great deal of his mother's plight.

Salem offered no answer as she stared curiously at Valor. She didn't expect her children to learn faster with each new rendition. Anger was already quite observant for his age, but Valor was taking things to the extreme. Deciding to ignore this strange occurrence, the mother continued to praise her child.

"Look at you, so smart already. I must admit things have been rough for your mother lately. I'm truly sorry for ruining your birthday."

"It's quite alright Mother. I am glad you accept the way you feel," the child reasoned with great clarity. "Let it stay in the past now, if you wish to smile."

"It's not in the past!" Salem snapped as her composure began to wither. "Blood is on my hands Valor. Someone lost their life because of me. And they did not deserve it."

Kneeling before Salem, Valor offered his care as he caressed her tear-stricken face. Not even his cold metal grasp was enough to distract from the bright warmth of his friendly gaze. It seemed to Salem everything about her child came from the heart.

"I see," the girl sobbed as she held onto Valor's hand.

Only then did Salem begin to understand her children. Anger wasn't any less clever from the start, only more practical and cold. Both her children were in fact brilliant from the beginning, a fact that made the mother very proud.

"Now, there is still hope for respite," Valor calmly explained as he gently held the witch by her hand. "Can I assist you in any way?"

"I'd like to read to you if that's ok," Salem sighed as she realized how immature she was in comparison to her newborns. "I've always envied the mothers I've seen spending time with their child in such a way. And your brother doesn't seem like the type to care for it."

"Very well then. Please, read to me of this world, for I wish to learn of it," Valor replied as he attempted to hide his excitement at hearing the mention of a brother.

"What is it that you do not understand dear child?" the mother smiled as she began to search through Cora's overgrown bookshelf.

"Nearly everything. But most importantly of all, what am I?"

"Let's find out shall we?" the mother smiled as she unveiled a children's book.

The small little novel was bright and vibrant with color, each letter including some sort of cryptic symbol beyond the logical mind. Valor had already taken great interest upon reading the title. Whatever it was, it appealed to him almost naturally.

"The knight in shining armor," he read.

"What a joke," Salem mumbled as she began to read. "I remember hating these sorts of stories."

"You used to indulge in literature?"

"Just let me read."

The witch's tale was short and sweet. She spoke of a proud knight overcoming every challenge he encountered through sheer will alone. He was not as strong as the mighty Viking of the east, nor as clever as the magical wizard of the north. And yet only he stood atop the mountain where the princess lay. Valor clung to the tale with great intrigue, much to Salem's delight.

"He won because he had to. There was no giving up. The Viking forsook the princess for there was no prize of gold or love. The wizard was too proud and selfish to risk his own life while he could solve every puzzle from afar. But the knight...he cared for the girl, even when he had nothing to gain. Is this what it is to be a man?"

"Women are not perfect Valor. They often take everything for granted, always ungrateful whenever they're not the pretty little victim of the story. If there's no trouble for them to feed off of, they'll make it for you."

"And what of those who really are in danger?"

Salem seemed almost disappointed with herself. She would have done anything to meet a man like Valor in her youth. She wanted someone to take care of her, and protect her when the rest of the world condemned her. But perhaps now was the chance to ensure at least one man cared.

"It's up to you, Valor. You have to make that call. As a knight, and as a man. Is she worth a single effort? Or is she better off dead?"

"That's quite a task, mother."

"I'm sure my brave knight is up to it," she smiled as she gave her child a warm hug.