Dim, dark eyes stared out from an arched window in the highest tower of the gothic castle. Her view consisted of an abyss as dark and void and melancholy as her expression, surrounded by a grey fog and obsidian skies. It was only the few lit candles, one next to her current seat upon the windowsill, and two resting on the stands that occupied either side of her bed, that kept her bedroom somewhat illuminated by the blackness that threatened to enter into her private chambers.
A wretched pain tore through her chest - like something inside of her had been cut, stripped away without warning. Soon, such separation was replaced by a sudden emptiness, a hollowed hole that caused an unnoticed tear to run down the side of her placid, pale, porcelain cheek. However, her face remained emotionless, as it usually was, and she found herself idly wiping the irrational droplet of water with her index finger.
Paku-Paku was no more.
He had been destroyed by thosse outlandish warriors, the yellow and the black one... who possessed such conflicting emotions towards one another. And, she knew well what course must be taken next, as she was only the puppeteer to Fate's grand plan.
Her obsidian orbs then darted to the side, and her head turned to witness the presence of the one she had been waiting to arrive.
"Mistress Eris," His voice was leader-like, and the sandy blonde man, with hair in shoulder-length waves, bowed before her as he addressed the personification of strife.
"Mother prefers that you only address me as 'Princess'," she replied apathetically, studying him with absent eyes.
"Yes, of course... Princess," The blonde spoke again, making a face of subtle uncertainty as the words smoothly carried off his tongue. His eyes tried to divert from her slender form, from her long black gown.
She could feel his hesitation, and sensed his request hum from the surface of his thoughts, even if it was in slight dissonance. Eris tilted her head to one side inquisitively. "You wish to be succeed my youma?"
Surprise colored his violet eyes, and his long nose led to the curvature of his mouth in the shape of an "o". He straightened himself, hoping to regain his earlier formality, and also managed to cease the wrinkles in his black militaristic uniform. After a moment, he finally found his words. "Uh.. Yes!"
"How did you know that PakuPaku had ceased?" She slowly stood up from her post, and although her words were empty, an inconspicuous curiosity and suspicion danced between each word, despite predicting his response.
He rubbed the back of his neck, nervous upon the confession he was about to make. "I was… in the vicinity…" He trailed, wondering just how much he should convey to the daughter of his savior.
Little did he know, she was already aware of the truth. "You were observing my youma, and that fight with the strange warriors."
Her factual statement took the general off-guard, but he quickly regathered his bearings. He stared into her emotionless expression, her eyes that seemed filled with so much information, yet hardly any feeling. They were haunting to look into, even for a being such as him, and he found himself glancing away. He was bothered not only at her accurate deduction, but at the mere misunderstanding of how someone so beautiful could equally be so stoic and scary.
Eris turned away, feeling the unease that so effortlessly migrated from the young general, yet she still remained apathetic. He looked no older than in his early 20's, yet he was centuries old. His mind, however, was still young, fresh. Childlike. Inventive. Perhaps, his stealth and subtly were what was necessary in order to attain the Persona Flower that her mother needed.
Of course, it was also what was intended. It was the way of the universe, the way of time. The way of the world, and the way that she could not defy.
He awaited her answer anxiously, wondering if she would comply, and rocking on his heels in hope that she would. The blonde man stared at the Princess of Strife with ambitious eyes.
"Hypnos." It was time to continue following the path provided.
He perked up at the sound of his name, realising that a decision had been made.
"Go. Find the Rainbow Personaflower for Queen Nyx, and do not fail."
The expression of the blonde man, known as Hypnos, lit up in amazement and glee at hearing such news, but he tried to retain his excitement before the princess, and whispered a 'yes'. Though, after his brief celebration, a certain question lingered in his mind that he must know the details of. "But, what about those strange warriors? The ones who destroyed your youma?..."
She did not hesitate in her answer, and clasped her hands into her lap as her gaze focused upon the window pane, her face unreadable in its reflection. "Do whatever it takes to deter them from the objective."
Hypnos grinned. "Leave it to me, Mistress Eris!"
And, without another word, he disappeared, leaving the brunette in the black gown alone. Forever a prisoner in her own world.
Author's Note: Again, didn't mean to take this long to update. Life and distracting hobbies/shows have a habit of pulling me away. I hope those of you still following enjoy it! You'll get more of the girls in the next chapter. Thank you for staying so loyal and following so diligently, to those of you still reading after all this time. I appreciate everyone who reads my stories, but I appreciate the ones who continue to stand by my work and my lengthy updates the most. Let me know if my pacing is okay, and what you think overall. See you next time :)