The air in Fillory smelled...different. It lost its' luster from before when the world seemed brighter. Quentin could tell the shift in the atmosphere as they walked along the path over broken branches and collapsed buildings. They approached a cottage that seemed familiar to him, but he just couldn't put his finger on it. "What is this place?" asked Eliot. "We have to go in, Margo's hand is cut and maybe they have the herb we need to heal it," Julia said with hope in her eyes. "Let's go," said Quentin. "Is anyone here?" Julia asked as they slowly walked in the slightly opened door. A figure rounded the corner and emerged with a quizzical look upon his face. "Stop right there. Funny seeing you two here. I've been waiting for you for quite some time now," he said as he looked from Quentin then to Julia. "It's ready for you." He disappeared to the back and emerged with a box. His hands slid across the lid and gently parted the box to reveal a crystallized dagger with a crimson core. Confused, Quentin looks at Julia, but before he can speak, the guy nods at Quentin and brings the box closer to him. Quentin reaches for the knife, but the lid slams shut. "Before you take the dagger, please understand that it's not money I seek, but a different form of payment." He looked at the two. Julia speaks up, "Exactly what is this payment?"
They exit the cottage and into the sunlight.
"What exactly is the request," Penny looked from Julia to Quentin with an irritated look etched across his face. Taking too long to respond, Margo chimed in,
"The herb?"
Eliot looked to Quentin and asked, "Well, what are we going to do now?"
"Funny you should ask," said Julia.
"He wants us to join his niece Cora's birthday celebration. Here's the herb for your hand," Quentin said looking at Margo.
"What?" Penny said with no enthusiasm.
"Well, they've always wanted to have people from different realms at their events, only none have ever appeared. I, I don't think it's too much to ask."
"Do we really have the time to attend this...party," Elliot slurred, having indulged in Fillory's ale a little too passionately.
"Well, not exactly attend, mmm, but more like be in it," Quentin says as his voice trails off. Penny grunts as he rolls his eyes, "Let's just get this over with."
"It shouldn't be too bad and maybe it won't take too long," Alice reassured Penny. Penny looked to her and asked,
"Exactly how are we supposed to be IN it?" They entered the cottage once more. Quentin approaches the man and takes the box,
"We'll do it."
The two suns were starting to set as the music danced all around them. Alice, Julia, and Margo walked down the aisle as the guests looked on with smiles. Quentin, Eliot, and Penny stand at the front next to the chair where the Cora will be seated. Butterflies float throughout the rows of people and even though the suns are out, the air holds a slight chill. The smile from Cora's face turns to shock as she stands there, statue like. Blood creeps from her mouth as she falls to floor, a scream lingering in the air. Everyone's eyes dash to the fallen girl and then to the figure standing where she once stood.
"The Beast," yells Alice.
The Beast waves his hands and the rows of elated guests were replaced with bloody figures, blood pouring out of their eyes and spilling out of their mouths. Panicked, the group spreads out to try and overcome the Beast. Margo advances, but the Beast moves his hand swiftly in a slash and her head slides off as her body crashes to the ground. Overcome with rage and grief, Eliot runs toward the Beast, but as he starts to cast a spell, once again, the Beast flashes a spell and Eliot's body is split into three pieces. Hiis head sits attached to his neck, hanging on by a sliver of skin. His intestines slowly creeping out onto the cold ground. Julia slips the box from under Quentin's arm and moves off to the side of the cottage, slowly making her way closer to the Beast. Alice runs to Quentin, but as she reaches him, her body jerks and collapses, leaving her heart suspended in the air. Horror washes over Quentin and no longer being able to bare any more of his friends getting hurt, he casts a spell that knocks the Beast backwards. He spots Julia and gives her a nod. She opens the box and reaches for the dagger to prepare to kill the Beast. However, as she touches it, her fingers fade into the crystal and the rest of her body joins, becoming trapped within. The beast suspends Quentin in the air, slowing crushing his neck.
"Silly boy, did you really think that this time would be any different from the others. Time after time after time, you guys try to defeat me and it's baffling that each version of you keeps trying. Although, it's not surprising that you've failed each time. Quentin, really, attending a party now are we. Look around you at the destruction that you've caused with your foolish attempts. You'll never win, it's just best that you understand that." He maneuvers his hands increasing the spells hold,
"Poor Quentin, well, I'll look forward to your attempt number 40." As the words leave his mouth, so does Quentin's last breath.
