he Trials We Face
Prologue
The four Lords gathered together in the abandoned church with Mother Miranda. Benviento sat in the corner with Angie, Moreau near Mother, while Alcina and Heisenberg sat across from each other. Each eyeing the other with disgust and hatred. The tension always grew when they were in the same room. Alcina wished her brother to mature and act more like that title he had been given. It pained her to feel Mother's rejection. He was clearly her favorite, his abilities most desirable and his cunning personality made him the best candidate for Eva, however still not perfect enough. This made Alcina angry. Her mother did not see her true power, she was being overshadowed by a child with a hammer. How dare her Mother not see her potential, how dare her Mother entertain these peasants.
Heisenberg on the other hand, could care less where he stood on Mother's hierarchy, you would not know this by the way he acted. He constantly showed nothing but devotion to her in the presence of the village and the other Lords, however in private he was plotting her demise. Soon he would be over this village, free from her talons. For the time being, he just needed to play nice in the sandbox with his siblings, but still occasionally kicking dust into their eyes.
"I think this year, I will be the victor," Heisenberg said confidently while lifting a cuban cigar to his lips. He was baiting her, as he always did at these meetings. "You are always so small minded, dear brother. Your arrogance cost you your victory in the previous season, as it will this one. Your childish tactics will never be enough to stop my streak," Alcina scoffed.
There was truth in her words, the last several seasons when the four Lords came together for their annual "game," Heisenberg, Benviento, and Moreau had never won. Their champions were never intelligent enough to defeat the final play of the game. A lycan attack brought the worst of nightmares to life for those who competed in the trials. Each Lord had their own training tactics for their champions, however only Alcina's ever seemed to work.
This year that would change. This was no longer about bragging rights, it was about dignity. Heisenberg vowed that he would knock Alcina off of her high horse to the depths of the swamp where she belonged with Moreau. An undesirable, and insignificant being. He would win, his champion then could play a major role in his plan to send all of these freaks into Hell. The champion would just have to survive the game and the "prize" Mother had in mind.
"What is the prize this year, oh sweet Mother?" Moreau croaked. Mother Miranda stroked his cheek softly, "My dear child, it will be what it always has been. A chance to become more. A chance to become a vessel for my Eva."