Chapter 28

After his initial encounter with the Teen, Duke had forgotten why he'd come to the Southern Palace in the first place. He'd half thought about drifting back home, but something prevented him from doing so. He just got this feeling as though he was forgetting something important, he just wish he knew what it was. He had no idea how long he'd been walking vacantly round when he spotted the Teen. It surprised Duke a little to see him on his own, considering the trouble Crovell had gone to in order to speak to him. But there was more to it than that. There was something odd about the Teen now. Something that hadn't been there before. Something…

'Hey there,' the Teen smiled politely as he wandered over, 'how are you?'

'A little confused,' Duke couldn't help but admit, 'I know I came here for a reason, but I can't remember what it was.'

'Something to do with Crovell maybe?'

'No,' he shook his head, 'not with him. But… Arados,' he was hit by a sudden wave of realisation, 'of course, I was supposed to talk to him about…' he hesitated.

'About what?'

'Catilin has got this crazy idea into her head about something concerning him. I was going to talk to him about it before…'

'Before what?'

'I don't know what you know about my wife, what you've learnt from Joey… I mean, the First about her. But when she gets an idea into her head she can… Well let's just say I worry about her sanity.'

'Really?'

'Yeah and that's why I wanted to talk to Arados before she did.'

'Arados is another of the First's children, isn't he?'

'Yeah, that's right.'

'Why haven't I met him yet?'

'Because he's currently too afraid to leave his room.'

'Oh really,' there was something dangerous about the glint which appeared in the Teen's eyes which made Duke uncomfortable.

'Look,' Duke gave a nervous cough, 'I really should be getting to him now, so if you don't mind.'

'Oh, but I do mind Duke, I mind very much,' with sudden speed the Teen slammed him hard back against the wall. 'You see I have plans of my own right now and as you have nothing I want, there are only two ways I can deal with you. Either I make you loyal to me or I kill you.'

'What?'

'You heard me Duke and I've learnt enough from the First to know that you're susceptible to our power; somehow I think a slave will be easier to deal with than a dead body, don't you?'

'You wouldn't…' Duke's eyes went wide with fear. 'You can't be serious. I won't go through that again!'

'Oh please, it's not as if you really remember going through it the first time.'

'That doesn't mean I want you to refresh my memory.'

'Oh, but I so want to.'

'This is madness!'

'No,' the Teen shook his head, 'this is Chaos. Crovell's Chaos to be precise. How do you think it suits me?'

'What?'

'I asked you how you think Crovell's Chaos suits me.'

'I don't understand…'

'Then let me make it very clear for you Duke,' the Teen leant in close, 'I took Crovell's Chaos, just like I'm planning on taking Arados's Light and Jo's Order.'

'But why?'

'Well as I'm about to make you my slave anyway, I suppose you deserve to know the truth,' the Teen chuckled darkly for a moment, before moving round to whisper in Duke's ear. 'Ni tricked the First into creating me and that means you're all doomed.'

'What?' Duke gasped fearfully. 'But how?'

'All the reformed Mistresses are vulnerable at the moment. The change has been more than just a shock to their system, it's left them with strange feelings of doubt about who they are. They're adjusting to an existence none of them chose and none of them are handling it too well right now. Ni has simply been playing with their doubts. Or at least the First's. I can't speak for how well he's managed to affect the other two.'

'You're saying that you were created from Joey's doubts?'

'Yes,' he nodded.

'So then how are you anything to do with Ni?'

'Because I am the doubts he placed in Joey with an extra little something added on top, obviously.'

'You're here to make the First evil?' Duke stared at him.

'No, I'm here to take out Arados, Jo and Crovell.'

'Why?'

'You're beginning to ask too many questions Duke.'

'I don't care; if you're going to make me your slave anyway, shouldn't I know these things?'

'You're right,' the grinned manically at him, 'it is about time I made you my slave.'

'Aren't you going to finish your explanation first?'

'Duke, Duke, Duke, don't you get it'll all be clear to you in a few moments anyway?'

Duke felt his eyes lock almost automatically with the Teen's. Then, suddenly, something dawned on him.

'You've already made a slave of me,' he breathed, 'the moment we met you've had power over me; that's why I couldn't remember what I was doing here.'

'Ni knows how the First's powers work. He knew I'd need someone in order to remain here. That's why…'

'That's why it was me you first appeared to.'

'You're a smart one, aren't you?'

'I can't believe it.'

'You don't have to believe it Duke; you just have to help me.'

'What if I don't want to?'

'You already know the answer to that.'

Sighing heavily, Duke lowered his gaze and said nothing. He knew the Teen was right and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it.

'What do you want me to do?' Duke's voice ebbed weakly.

'I need you to detain Jo, whilst I take care of her brother.'

'Which brother?'

'I've already dealt with Crovell, so which brother do you think?'

'Arados…'

'Exactly. Now, can you do that for me?'

'Do I have a choice?'

'What do you think?'

'I'll detain her for you,' Duke half turned.

'Good,' the Teen back away from him and instantly appeared strangely innocent again. 'Now I trust you can take care of her without me having to completely control your every action, only that level of control over a person can be more than a little draining.'

'I'll detain her for you, that's all you need to know, right.'

'Right,' he nodded, before turning to walk away, 'well then Duke, aren't you going to wish me luck?'