Olivia Green: Envy's Child [COMPLETED]

Chapter 31: May Fate Decide

"I had not anticipated to see you up so early," comes her silky, sly voice from the doorway. "You should have tried to sleep in. You are not going to sleep for a while with The Challenges."

I'm putting on my gear in a tiny room in The Centre, my sleeping quarters for this short while. Last night when Lucifer directed me here and locked the door I was shocked at how minuscule the room is; apparently it's for my protection. Apparently I have to sacrifice a lot in order to remain safe, from having an absent father figure to giving up a king size bed. Honestly painful. I even had to give up my good company of Samson, apparently there's no need for him when we're here. I think that is stupid.

"It wouldn't make a difference," I shrug. "I don't get much sleep anymore anyway."

Envy goes quiet. I turn to look at her to make sure she is still there, her brows are furrowed as she looks torn over something, hand pressed against her stomach as if for reassurance. She wears a simple jade gown with a criss-cross bodice, mermaid styled skirt and a pair of heels. Her hair is pinned back and curled, makeup simple but sophisticated as she adorns a silver snake armlet on her right forearm. "I brought you something." She looks down to her hands where she is holding a leather pouch before glancing at me, "Grey berries."

I hesitantly take them, opening it up to see I have six.

"Use them wisely," she advises. "The Minotaur will not be the only danger you will worry about."

I wear a fitted, midnight black breastplate with intricate golden designs gifted to me by my father. With this I wear pauldrons, knee-high boots, bracers, leggings and a pair of fingerless gloves. My hair is tied into two french plaits, my rucksack is full with rations, poisons, water and other necessities. Within various holsters, I have daggers and knives stored as a last resort. My go to is my short sword which is sheathed on my back, a finely made weapon with a deadly edge alongside a circular shield with a poisoned tip in the centre. As I tie my mother's gift to my belt, she snaps her fingers.

Mr Weasleton shuffles next to her, in his arms he holds a hunter green cloak with golden embroidery on the edges. It is beautiful, I can tell from the make it is from mother's personal tailor, "I see you have quickly switched to wear your father's colours, however I'd like to think I am somewhat still important to you. I am your mother after all." She indicates for me to take the cloak, so I do. It is surprisingly lightweight, yet somehow thick at the same time. I drape it over my shoulders and tie the strings together, looking in the mirror to see the gorgeous fabric.

"I would like to escort you before you die," she says with her head cocked to the side. "Is that not common decency?"

I nod once and go to step out of the room, her by my side with her personal assistant shadowing her, "Why did you vote for me to go?"

"You are my daughter," she says monotonously. "Even if I do not love you, or care for you, I know what is best for you. We are more similar than you realize; we want to be strong, independent and prove that we can do all these things without a partner."

"I just don't want to marry."

"So you can marry whoever you fall in love with?" she scoffs. "Love is weakness, child. After losing your friend I would have hoped you had seen it."

"And I have," I respond. "Hence why I don't let anyone close to me. I don't want to feel those things again."

"A broken heart at such a young age," she clicks her tongue. "Pitiful. You should have known better."

"Well I do now."

"Do you?" She questions. "Or are you telling yourself that? There is a difference. Yes you have been practicing what you have preached, however does your mind betray you? Even in your greatest moments of weakness, have you gave in?"

I can't help but think over her words. It's true, whenever I have been down I have always leaned on someone else, other than myself. Depended on another soul to pick myself up; Brent. My mind pauses and I bite my lip; I picked him. Yet why? I could have chosen anyone else besides him, yet for some reason I decided to. Was it because of his powers? Or in honour of my father? Perhaps. Or am I doing what my mother just said- telling myself this? After the incident, Brent was there helping me. With my nightly horrors, Brent was there for me to rely on. Last night he was so willing to be chosen, eagerly agreeing and packing his equipment before I could have breathed. 

But why?

Envy chuckles lightly, "I see you have caught yourself."

"How do you manage it?"

She shrugs a shoulder, "Simple really. Do not let yourself be the victim. Do not let yourself succumb. Always have a plan. Then nothing can go wrong."

I sigh and look at her strangely, "You tell yourself that before you go to bed?"

"Only when necessary."

She stops before the doors leading into the throne room, waiting for her loyal sidekick to open the doors, "Hurry now. We have not got all day."

"Of course your highness," he bows. "My deepest apologies."

Pushing open the door, I'm surprised with how many people have filled this room. All the original demons with their children and spouses. The long table has disappeared, a single strip leading directly to the throne is free from bodies allowing me to walk to my father.

Satan is wearing a suit of his finest armour, golden and gorgeous he proudly holds a matching staff in his right hand, wings full extended he sits patiently looking at me, "Daughter. You have come here today to prove yourself worthy of ruling this Empire by yourself. Is this true?"

I take a deep breath as I look him in the eyes, the audience holding their breath. "Yes, this is true Emperor."

"Then you have agreed to voluntarily participate in The Challenges, testing your physical, mental and emotional capabilities. Three key parts of becoming a good Empress. Who have you chosen to come with you on your journey?"

"I have chosen Zac, son of Wrath and-," I pause and think about this. If I chose Brent, his powers are useful, however he somehow makes me trust him. Does that mean he trusts me? If so that could become useful as well. However it is a big leap, a leap I'm not sure I'm ready to take.

"And?" father persists.

"Brent Amber. In honour of you taking The Challenges centuries back."

He smiles and nods, the mutterings around the audience show their agreement. Zac and Brent emerge from their families, wearing their red and mustard cloaks proudly. Zac wears a full suit of armour, wielding a large hammer on his back. Meanwhile Brent has a long sword sheathed on his hip, wearing studded leather armour instead. They stand dutifully behind me, their heights towering over me.

"You two are doing an honour of serving your future Empress. May fate decide," he says, slotting his staff into a whole in the ground; like a key he twists, a click echoing throughout the room. It takes a couple of seconds for anything occurs; cogs whir and machines clank as the floor beneath my juts with a start. We begin to be taken down, my eyes never leaving my father's until I can't see him anymore.

We become bathed in darkness.