Author's Note: Well, here's the next chapter, and I know its a lot shorter, but I think the content sounded better this way rather than forcing it into either the previous or following chapter. This is where the main storyline starts to be revealed, so I hope you enjoy it. :)

All Fable content is owned by Lionhead. All Panic! at the Disco album titles/song titles/lyrics are owned by the band and their record label. Violet, out. 3

2. Do You Know What I'm Seeing

"I know its mad, but if I go to Hell will you come with me or just leave? I know its mad, but if the world were ending would you kiss me or just leave me?"

"Logan, pray tell, just what is the meaning behind all of this?" Vanessa and her brother were now standing alone in the war room. She was not only confused, but slightly worried. Her brother was now turned away from her, hands clasped behind his back, pacing back and forth. He was jittery, which was abnormal for the former King.

After allowing Logan to pace for a few moments, Vanessa had had enough. "Logan!"

He automatically turned to face his sister, his eyes clouded and troubled. He walked toward her, his lips slightly parted and shaking.

"Vanessa, please sit down, I have some very…important matters to discuss with you," Logan touched his sister's shoulder, lightly pushing her to sit on a cushioned bench.

"Brother, what's wrong? I saw you speaking with Reaver, and I-"Logan waved a hand in front of him to stop her.

"I…I have to tell you something. Something highly serious and I regret having to explain all of this to you. You have no idea, Sister, how much I wish I did not have to tell you this," Logan began pacing in front of the young Queen. Vanessa sat, her doe eyes wide as she gawked at her brother. Before Vanessa could speak again, Logan continued.

"A few years ago, when I first assumed the throne…I was twenty years old, the same age you were when you became Queen. I, obviously, was not as capable of a leader as you have come to be…else this whole ordeal would not be taking place," Vanessa could tell that Logan was having great difficulty getting his words out, but her brother had always been gifted in the ability to cover up his emotions and make people believe he felt otherwise.

"Our father had been dead for a few years already, and when Mother passed, I was thrust onto the throne. I didn't want to be King, especially not at such a young age. I had always figured that when Mother grew very old and weary, I would be a well-aged man, prepared to accept the role of King. But when I was suddenly forced to go from being the adventurous young man I was to being a forceful leader…I didn't know how to control myself.

"I was still grieving over our mother's death, still trying to raise you, and trying to adjust to the throne. You were still a fifteen year old girl, trying to find yourself, and I had to act as your guardian…I did everything I could for the kingdom in order to protect you. But not even a fortnight after my coronation, I got word I needed to travel to Aurora. I hadn't even heard of the place, but sure enough, I made the trip, secretly of course.

"When I arrived, a group of Aurora's leaders frantically greeted me, telling me of The Darkness. It was already creeping into their city, on its way to Albion. I had never been so terrified in my life. Here I was, an irresponsible young man, sweet Avo, mentally I was still a boy. I knew not what to do. Upon my return, I told very few people what I had learned in Aurora. My entire kingdom was doomed. I had almost come to terms with it, until I got a visit from Theresa, the blind prophet."

Vanessa's eyes widened in disbelief. She thought only Heroes could be visited by Theresa. Logan did possess Hero blood, due to his Mother, but he did not have any of the qualities Vanessa had. He was no more skilled with a sword than a casual soldier. His aim with a firearm was mediocre at best. And his command of Will was nonexistent.

"I knew she had visited Mother, and upon her arrival, I assumed I was, in fact, a Hero. Before I could even question it, she told me otherwise, that I was not a Hero, but she had important information I had to hear. She confirmed the attack on Albion from The Darkness, and told me to use whatever means possible to prevent it. She said…she said no matter what, I had to save you, my sister. Then I knew it, I knew that you were a Hero, though she would not confirm it. She merely gave me a harsh wake-up call. If I didn't somehow find a way to prevent The Darkness from reaching Albion, every single citizen would die, including you and me."

Logan took a moment and paused, pinching the space between his eyebrows as he composed himself. Vanessa couldn't speak. She had no idea The Darkness had been a threat for so long, that Albion came so close to destruction. It shook her up.

"So…so I did the only thing I could do. I didn't want Albion to panic…I didn't want them to know about the oncoming attack. So I struck a deal with the Aurorans. They were a large, strong population, willing to militarize and become an army to fight The Darkness back to where it came from. It would not destroy it forever, but it would buy time to prepare for another attack. But I needed money, and lots of it. I had very few days to get weapons to Aurora and pay them greatly to give their lives. I had no idea how to earn millions of dollars in such a short amount of time…I did the only thing I could," Logan paused again, staring at the floor, sweat dampening his dark hair.

"I called for Reaver to come to the Castle. At this point, I barely knew the man…but I did know he had money," there were long breaks between each statement as Logan spoke. "I met with him, and confessed the upcoming attack. He was the first person I told, and in retrospect I should have controlled my nerves better. I was a nervous wreck at the time, counting the hours until my death. But when I told Reaver about The Darkness…he was unfazed.

"I remember it clearly. He laughed, and patted me on the back. 'Dear boy, of course I will aid you!' He was all-too-eager to give me the money. One thing I knew about him was that he was undyingly selfish. There was no way he would give me that money without a steep price."

Vanessa had an eerie feeling. She knew in her gut that Logan had given up something great to Reaver in order to save his kingdom…but what? The Queen knew her brother would have done anything to protect her, and it frightened her to think of what he might have suffered in order to ensure Albion's safety.

"Vanessa, I…he…he's an evil man. He's cruel and sadistic…and he knows how to trick people into doing his wishes. I wish I could have done anything else…but if I had, neither one of us would be here alive today. He wanted one thing, and one thing only. The one thing I refused time and time again to give him," Logan had been looking at the floor as he paced, but now he turned and looked Vanessa deep into her eyes. He looked older to her now, the pain on his face seemed to add a few years to her brother. It looked as if he was even fighting back tears, and his expression was one of extreme sorrow and regret. He trembled slightly, but Vanessa spoke out first.

"Logan…what is it? What did he ask from you? I am your sister, and I can help avenge this ordeal," She watched her brother closely, then he spoke, his voice firm but by no means calm.

"You."