Karin: The Demon Sleeping Within

Chapter 15: Leone

Leone's P.O.V.

"Go now, and get someone to clean that up."

"Y-yes, your highness. I apologize."

The door shut behind me, I shook my head. This is the last time you'll push me or anyone else around. Too bad you would not see this coming.

A sigil popped up in front of me, with the image of Gabriel.

"I got everything set here in the lab. Hurry, before God sends me out again for another task."

After Gabriel's message, the sigil vanished, leaving Leone alone on top of the bland ancient spiral staircase.

"Well, this is it," I mumbled to myself, faking calm as I casually walked down the staircase of the tower. A few knights passed by me, nodding their heads in my direction. I smiled at them, my heart defying me, picking up in pace. It was no big deal. I was just about to change the course of time as we knew it and commit treason. There was no reason to feel anxious.

I half-heartedly laughed at my demise.

Well, there was no turning back now.

Just as I had reached the end of the staircase and turned my head, I realized I had bumped into someone.

"O-oh!" A woman squeaked.

Now facing the woman I had collapsed into, I realized it was none other than Satania. Oh, talk about impeccable timing.

"Ah, Satania. I was just about to come check on you." I lied through my gritted teeth.

Our eyes met.

"She doesn't want to see me, does she?"

Refraining from saying a word, my eyes softened as I shook my head "no". Satania's eyes crinkled as she wore a soft side smirk.

"She is so traditional." Satania asserted, half-heartedly laughing to herself.

No, she was just a self-centered pretentious ruler who was using you. Why couldn't you see that?

No, I couldn't blame you. You may had been naive, but I knew how convincing she could be. She was never good at expressing her emotions, but she excelled in the art of manipulation. She knew just what to say. She would find out your deepest desires and whims and exploit it, using that information to her benefit.

No, it wasn't your fault. You were also a victim. I don't blame you.

"How about you take a walk outside. It's nice out tonight." I had suggested. Please do that. If you are out of my way long enough, I can complete the potion and be able to distribute it tonight as everyone is sound asleep.

Satania smiled.

"Yea, you know. That does sound like a good idea. I should keep my mind off of things. Maybe I'll even take a swim!"

And with that, we departed, and I headed back towards the location that Gabriel had sent me.

***

The ritual was a success. The magic of the potion filled the air and surrounded the kingdom.

I allowed the darkness of the night to swallow me whole as I stood outside of the castle. I could feel the change. The shift of the wind as I breathed in the air. Though my memories were protected due to a protection spell over my mind prior to the ritual, I could still fill it- the change. The change that was about to come and what has already been done.

But, it wasn't over.

There was still one last deed to be done.

I swallowed as the queen's haunting face surfaced in my thoughts. I imagined her looking down upon me. It was like she was daring me to go through with this. Clearly, it was only the part of me that had some doubt- doubt that I could be capable of doing something like this.