16 Through the looking Glass

The thick cobblestone walls of the castle were dark and cold. The floors were damaged over time by the drippings of rain through the cracks, eroded by nature to unveil the imperfection and flaws of what man had created.

One particular room was the darkest of all, yet was the most occupied by one man sitting on top of a throne carved from fine metal. The shadows casted down and lurked from where the man was sitting. He radiated raw strength and overwhelming power, covered head to toe in a cloak that wouldn't allow his skin to show.

Sitting in darkness, stewing and manifesting in the dark walls that surrounded him.

The sound of heels clacking against the stone floor echoed throughout the castle. Pandora strode with confidence towards the man on the throne, stopping a few feet away.

"I have some information that you might find very interesting."

The cloaked man said nothing, nor did he move or react.

"The High Sages are preparing to advance on their plans. They want to reveal us to the Mortal's in the hopes of retaliation. From the information I've gathered they want an authoritarian takeover, even if that means by hostility."

The man's hood lowered ever so slightly with minimal effort.

Pandora continued, her Opal eyes glistened. "With that in mind, I'd like to remind you of a certain time before. It didn't go down very well, did it?"

As she spoke she rubbed her hands together. Purple vapour poured from her fingertips, when she separated her hands she revealed a glowing white orb.

The orb illuminated the dark castle interior walls and began to project images, both moving and still, symbols of what could only be described as a mismatched jumble of different languages. The orb itself shone brightly and projected a scene unfolding.

The desert was hot and golden sand stretched throughout the barren landscape, the weather was harsh with the sun beating down. Few ancient looking buildings stood made of dried mud, the paths were made of thousands of footprints that spanned the Sahara.

Suddenly people swarmed the orbs' view. They were angry and scared, screaming and hollering in an unknown language screeched throughout the room. The flash of a metal dagger rained down, followed by blood.

The orb fizzled out and focused again, showing the view looking up from a hole deep into the ground. The light slowly faded as the hole became sealed until the room returned to its original state of darkness.

The cloaked man remained silent, though his hand gripped the arm of the metal throne. The creaking of bending metal was eerie.

Then a snap.

The man released his grip of the metal he had squeezed from the throne with such ease. The metal clambering against the stone floor was frighteningly loud.

Pandora waited until she felt it appropriate to speak. "A client of mine is also attempting to reveal magic to Mortals, though he is going about it a much different way."

The hooded man raised his head slowly and shifted his weight back.

"I have warned him against it, but the boy is stubborn. He means well, I assure you."

The man spoke, his voice low and intimidating. "There is no difference for morals. The outcome will be the same."

Pandora seemed unfazed by the man's reaction and clasped her hands together, the orb disappearing into thin air as she spoke. "I'll be sure to keep a watchful eye on all sides.

The cloaked man gave no reaction and stayed lifelessly still.

Pandora took that as confirmation and permission to do as she suggested.