Rise and Fall- Fight of Faith

For the Best

Grainger stormed into the library, eyes stormy. His eyes caught a young hired servant standing by the bookshelf, staring in fear. He could feel the darkness swallowing him but he couldn't stop. At least, not yet.
With a growl, he threw out a hand, encasing her in ice. Trickles of fire transformed it into steam.
He stood with his chest heaving, remarkably calmer. His smirk returned. He loved the power rush he felt when he used his powers.
"Bye bye," he said mockingly to the haze hovering in the air.
"Who are you talking to?" Someone asked from behind him.
He turned. "Ah, hello, cousin. I'm talking to her." He gestured to lingering steam.
Valarina froze. "Who was that?"
Grainger shrugged. "Some servant. Nobody important. Say, why do we pay them?" He mused.
Valarina hesitated. "I-I don't know," she muttered. "It's your call, I suppose."
Grainger nodded. "That's right. And from now on, their own satisfaction is staying alive." A sadistic delight hovered in his face.
Valarina frowned. "Say, Emperor, there's something off about your eyes."
He frowned and turned to the grand mirror hanging on the wall. Leaning in close, he didn't at first notice what Valarina was talking about. Then it clicked - his brilliant blue eyes had a dark ring around the iris, a bold black line that hadn't been there before.
Grainger shrugged, turning around again. "It's nothing," he said, brushing it from his mind. "Do you know who else I can take out this anger on?"
Valarina hesitated. If she spoke, she was a murderer.
If she remained silent, she was a victim of one.
"There's a group of servants in the living room by your bedroom," she said softly. He nodded and left.
Valarina shivered. How were people so evil?
No, not even people. How were the Turners so black-hearted? Torys the old emperor, Anna the twisted Empress, Grainger the new Emperor, Malice the murderer...
What was wrong with them? What would she do?
Stand by, a nasty voice inside her head whispered. You will stand to the side, watching the world fall to pieces, letting humanity fall to pieces, just to save your own life.
"Shut up," she said out loud. "That's not true."
Really now? Then what did you just do?
"I was just giving him a hint," she insisted to the empty room. "I didn't really kill anyone."
Then why are you imagining their screams?
"I'm not," Valarina said. "They won't have time to scream anyway."
What kind of monster are you?
"I'm a Turner. I have a dark destiny waiting, I know it, but for now I despise them and all they stand for."
the voice didn't respond.
"And besides," Valarina said with a shrug. "If Grainger becomes the downfall of the galaxy, he'll end up destroying himself. Then I can take over.
"That seems best for all of us, don't you think?"