Mirror Soul

Chapter Forty Three: The One All Things Fear

“Whoa!” Kai exclaimed as he drove back to the mansion. The remnants of Count’s soul rupture, the huge assortment of plant life that had chased them, was rapidly wilting and disintegrating. “This area was completely covered in vines, like, five minutes ago. Now it’s like I’m driving through a garden’s graveyard.”

“So Count was really this strong?” Bruce asked. “I mean, I know the rupture amped him, but still. This was just… nuts.”

“It makes me wonder.” Clover thought out loud. “Count’s mystic was ridiculous! Yet Majesty gave it to his follower that was the most reluctant to fight? Why?”

“It makes sense to me.” Layva shrugged. “When you sleep amongst snakes you shouldn’t give them more venom. He was probably afraid that if he gave the mystic to anyone else they’d betray him.”

“I don’t think that would be possible.” Ravel pointed out. “For Baron at least.” She clenched her hands tightly to her chest as she spoke. “He made it very clear that Majesty was everything to him. There was no way he would betray him.”

“Oh yeah!” Kai added. “Duchie was gushing over Majesty too.”

“In more ways than one.” Bruce muttered under his breath.

“Don’t tell me. Something about how he saved her at her darkest hour?” Clover guessed. “Jack said the same thing.”

“Jack?” Ravel tilted her head in puzzelment.

“Sorry… I mean Count. What about you, Rave?”

The redhead nodded. “Yes, Baron did tell me a similar story. What about you, Laylay?”

Layva huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “No idea. I wasn’t really trying to exchange sob stories. I was too busy winning.”

“Oh?” Bruce flashed her a smug grin. “Is that why you came back limping and covered in blood?”

Ravel gasped. “You were?”

Layva gave the boy a death glare. “Don’t worry. Most of it isn’t mine. Back to the point. So, the Court members all had one thing in common.”

“They were all losers.”
Layva ignored Bruce and continued. “Majesty found them at their lowest and gave them mystics with that black book reltique.”
“Stygian extractus!” Kai corrected. The group flashed him an irritated look. “What? That was what that Bob guy called it.” He muttered.

“I wonder what kind of man Majesty is.” Ravel pondered.

“He is a murdering criminal.” Clover answered in a harsh tone.

“Yes, I know… but, how can such an evil man inspire people like that? All of them, as early as Didrick, were more than willing to die for him. I just wonder… what if someone else got to them first?” 
Despite being unable to see, Ravel looked around the limousine. “What if we found them first? They did such heinous deeds.” Her fingers balled into fist. “And I can never forgive them for what they did to Rolist and the others!” Ravel took a deep breath. “But… I can’t help but find their ending beyond tragic.”

Clover sunk deeper in her seat as Count’s final moments came to mind.
He should have taken my hand… I wish he had.

The rest of the ride proceeded in silence until the limousine came to a stop. Kai looked back at them all. “Guys, we’re here.”

Everyone slowly piled out of the car. Layva carried Ravel on her back. Bruce’s heart was hammering in his chest. 

They’re dead. They have to be.