Song for the quiet bird

by SoulfulAzrael

Moxxie is hired by Stolas to write a song for Stella for her birthday. This rather terrifying endeavor turns into a strange study of Moxxie of Stella's character where he sees something... familiar and discovers more about both her and her family. Also keep in mind. This will vary HEAVILY from the show now that Season 2 started.

14. Sun and Moon

Okay... I am back. One thing before we begin. Please take your time to maybe read what I say at the bottom of the chapter once you are finished. I have a message there that is quite important. Don't worry. I am not cancelling this fic. Enjoy.

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Chapter 14

"Sun and Moon"

*step**step**step*

Stella heard every step her claws took upon the crystal floor of her palace. She felt every place her claws stepped on more so than ever before in her life. She felt every move her feathers made with her every move. She felt the weight of her dress gently weighing down on her, every touch of the fabric upon her body. The walls and floor of the palace's main hall even while covered in darkness were more radiant than ever before. She felt… alive.

As she walked through the hall it felt more l than ever before even as there was around her nothing, but shadows and silence. For a moment it felt like she was no longer in the realm she called home all her life. Like she was somewhere not really here. Somewhere she never was and never will be in. Her duty that she knew was right was almost at it's end. She made the most important step. It was not final, but was the most significant. Her family will return to grace. She knows it and she will make it happen.

Her claws took her up the stairs and turned to the wing where the main rooms were. As she took her steps she still saw no one else around. No servants. No Stolas… No Octavia. Everyone was at rest. She was about to move into her room, but she felt sudden pull as she passed the doors of her offspring. A sudden need to pull at the knob of her doors. She gave in to the feeling and quietly opened them. As she looked into her room she saw Octavia sleeping soundly in her bed with some papers sticking out of the chest near her bed and few she was grasping with her feathered hands while on her side were several pens, pencils and brushes.

She cared not for what she had there, but for the piece she was in. She was sleeping with no disturbance and her beak was adorned with a smile. She did not know why, but she felt at ease as she looked at her. The more she looked the more she understood another duty she had. For her. A duty to make her someone greater. Someone of greater value than she could dream of. Someone… who can live in peace. Nothing was more important. Nothing was of greater value. She saw it in a smile of an owl.

Slowly she closed the doors and moved on to the room of hers and her spouse's. She did not expect him to be there, but her eyes slightly widened when she opened the doors. There he was, sitting on the edge of the bed, in a red robe with a candle floating at his side reading a book of herbs and flowers. One he studied every time she was about to enter the room. One she knew he read a hundred times over if not more. One he always read to distract himself from her. As she entered the room Stolas slowly looked up from his book.

"Welcome dear…" His voice was calm, but there was a clear distaste for her beneath his peaceful demeanor "How was your business at the tower? If I am even worthy of knowing anything about it."

"I won." Stella said as she moved passed him towards the window "That is all you need to know."

"I see." Stolas said as he looked over her proud figure and then returned his gaze to the book he pretended to read "I do hope you did not break that imp yet dear."

Stella ignored his words and looked out of the window unto what was below. She saw the courtyard and the Golems by the gates and beyond that the Landscape of Pride. The spires of Noble Realm, fires of Pentagram, the mountains of No Man's Land and the shadows of distant Tower of Lord Governor.

*brrr*

But suddenly the view has shifted. The room has moved by the will of the palace itself and as the room stopped moving she was now looking onto the gardens of the Palace. The lights illuminating it's plant life and servants taking care of it even now. The carnivorous flowers still devouring their last meal. The serpents slithering across the trees with leaves of velvet color.

And the bright flowers like snow in the darkness of night singing soothing songs to the Prince that never was, sleeping forever beneath them. Sign of failure. Reminder of loss. Unmoving, frozen, dead.

This Palace was toying with her as it sensed her emotions. Tried to hurt her. An annoying feature of this abomination of a gift from King Paimon. Only further reinforced her conviction. Stolas needs to die. Son of Paimon cannot be left alive to endanger her goals and their family any longer. Not now that she is so close to finally fulfilling this duty. And most importantly she could not allow Octavia grow to be like him.

"By morning I will once more start Octavia's training." Stella declared as she kept looking outside the window unto the Gardens "Is that-"

"Clear as the waters of Envy." Stolas said bitterly "Are you taking her away again?"

"No." Stella declined. Previously she would take Octavia to other places to teach her necessary values and traditions among nobility, but this time was different. Her approach will be different. "This time I will be teaching her here so I must ask you to-"

"Stay away…" Stolas clearly knew far too well. Good. "I wont get in your way." His voice was full of barely restrained irritation "But if I see you hurt her then I'll-"

"That wont happen!" Stella grew impatient as the sight of the singing flowers over the silent grave became more clear to her "And even if, IF I did what would you do? Kill me?" Stella turned to him with her last sentence. She was ready to do so, but was he?

"..." His face was now distorted by anger "If I had a choice-"

"You don't." Stella knew well. For all his magical talent Stolas in the end was a coward. Always afraid of Paimon's wrath. Then again, only a fool would not be. "And neither do I." But she will make sure to change that

"..." Stolas once again said nothing

Stella seeing that walked towards the wardrobe and slowly started to undress herself from her dress. Slowly she took off every piece of her clothing, from her gloves, her tiara and her main attire and lingerie beneath. Stolas looked, but not with desire. She knew many other man in Hell would most likely mutilate themselves and raise countless wars among each other for only a small chance to see even a glimpse of her naked visage, but not him. Stella could tell even with her back turned to him that she disgusted him. She knew that ever since the day of their wedding as they both placed their hands on their contracts and let their blood connect.

Was it a blessing or a curse to have one Demon in this realm that despised even looking at her? She could not know. She put away those thoughts as she put her clothes into the basket next to the wardrobe for the servants to take and clean on the other day and then looked back into the wardrobe and put on her robe for sleep. A purple robe adorned with all kinds of bright pearls sewn into it. A gift from her brother that she checked about 15 times over for any curse the first time she received it.

This did remind her of the necklace from Real she never stopped wearing ever since the day she and the Bard went to the party of Prince Gaap. She never really felt the need to take it off. At some point she simply forgot it was there and most likely she will forget soon after. She put away that thought and put on her robe and sat down at the edge of the bed across from Stolas.

"I am surprised you even wish to sleep here with me." Stolas proclaimed, clearly disappointed by her choice

"If you wish to not sleep next to me you are free to find another room." Stella answered "There are hundreds of rooms here to spare." Many of which she never saw a reason for existing beyond the strange nature of King Paimon's designs.

"No. It is also my chamber darling." Stolas said with spite

"Very well." Stella accepted and begun to lay down

"That's it?" Stolas asked an odd question which "No protest? No struggle? Screaming? Throwing furniture or labor force at me?"

"I have many reasons to be angry with you." Stella said as she looked him in the eye "Compared to those, sharing a bed with you is rather insignificant."

Stella laid in their bed as she looked away from Stolas.

"I hate that about you." Stolas said with venomous tone "I hate the way you accept this fate of ours." Stolas said before Stella could even say anything "But what infuriates me more than anything is that when I try to go against it THEN you decide to fight! To keep me in this cage!" Stolas kept on going with his rant "Just like back then when our s-"

"Go to sleep or get out." Stella said quietly as she was still looking away from him, knowing fully well what he was about to say.

Stolas away from her slowly put his book unto the nearby shelf with his magic.

"Look at me Stella." Stella almost felt compelled to, but she chose not to, but then she felt a sudden force wrap around her beak and she was forced to turn and face as she laid there "LOOK AT ME!"

It felt odd to be grabbed like this by him. Where did this initiative and struggle came from she wondered. What was it that changed in the last few days? That was of no matter now that she was facing him.

"That training of yours. What will you do specifically?" Stolas asked with threatening tone. Well at least that's what Stella it was supposed to be.

"That is between me and Octavia." Stella answered without care for his threats "All you need to know is that it is supposed to help her."

"And that terrifies me. You helping her by turning her into another you." Stolas now did not even try to hide his contempt "If you will hurt her I will hurt you more than you ever hurt me."

"If I ever did I would welcome it wholeheartedly." Stella said without hesitation, but then Stolas's hand came closer to her neck, surrounded by his black and red aura with black lightning from between his fingers hitting her neck. It was uncomfortable, but not unbearable.

"How much I wish I could-"

"You can't." Stella said with unwavering resolve "You never could and I doubt you ever would. So please. Spare me this embarrassing charade."

"..." Stolas slowly moved his hand away and laid in the bed and looked away from her "You disgust me. From the very first day we met you disgusted me and there doesn't come a day when I don't wish you spared me and my daughter's misery and ended yourself." Stolas said and Stella did not react, she just watched him pour his essence out into the void "There was a time I was afraid of those thoughts. There was a time I felt conflicted about them. These days are through now Stella."

"Good to know." Stella said and turned away from him as well

Candles on both sides of their bed were snuffed out and they were engulfed by darkness. Now Stella's resolve was hardened more than ever before. She knew now fully well. He had to die. She will make it happen by any means necessary. He will sully their family name no longer, but for some reason there was a slight pain she felt in her chest. She ignored it and as she drifted off to sleep the pain was replaced with anticipation of the next day. Day of training with Octavia and… him.

The last thoughts on Stella's mind was the peculiar Imp that found it's way into their lives. The gift from her husband. She already knows it will be her tool, but each time she thinks more of him the more doubts arise in her minds. Cracks in the wall she surrounded herself with. For now they are meaningless, but if given enough time the entire wall will crumble.

The imp himself right now was at rest in their apartment in the Imp City. At the edge of his bed Moxxie was sitting, sleeping in dreamless slumber after sitting in one place unable to rest for the longest time. One alongside it kept on watching. Waiting. With every breath they feel more conscious. Feel the world around them. Remember what was gone for so long. A faithful day will come sooner or later and with it…

"Moxxie?" Millie who not long before came to the apartment looked at Moxxie sitting at the edge of the bed and at first was whispering to him and then grabbed his shoulders and started to shake him gently "Hey. Mox. Darlin' Are ya okay?"

"H-huh?" Moxxie turned his head towards her voice, but found it difficult to even open his eyes "Millie? What are you- What hour is it?"

Moxxie was confused and grabbed his forehead. He felt ill. Must have been the effect of the previous day. The shadows of the three figures still lingered in his mind where they stood before. When did he fell asleep? Or was this another dream?

"Around 5." Millie said as she sat next to him "Were you… sleepin' like this? Mox?"

Moxxie's mind was still foggy after this rest. If it could even be called that. It was like he never left the depths of that Tower.

"MOX!"

Moxxie was quickly snapped out of his lethargic state as Millie screamed directly into his ear. Moxxie turned his head towards his worried wife.

"Mox. What's goin' on?" Millie placed her right hand on his cheek and stroked it gently

"Nothing it's just…" Moxxie knew it was a lie, something was on his mind, burrowed deeply into his subconscious "That tower."

"Mox. I know how much it means to ya, but-"

"I wont quit!" Moxxie protested before she could finish "I can't. Not now." Moxxie looked down at the floor as he was contemplating what to say or do next when suddenly he noticed something "*sniff**sniff* What is that foul-"

"I think that's you Mox." Millie said as she sniffed around his face and then covered her nose "And that suit. It reeks like a corpse."

Right. For a while now Moxxie did not wash all that much and given the recent events this finally was taking it's toll on both his body and attire.

"Tell ya what Mox. Go take a shower and leave this suit for today." Millie proposed to him, it did not sound like a bad idea "Ya will feel better Mox. I know it."

"Hmm, but what I will go with today?" Moxxie found this a pressing issue

"There is that new suit ya got the other day right?" Millie reminded him

Moxxie looked at the box containing the suit given to him by Andrealphus. Moxxie was wondering if it was even wise to put it on, he could always put on his usual tux, but given where he will be… maybe it will be better to put it on. And… for some reason he genuinely believed it may really be a harmless gift. At least he will know for sure if it is dangerous or not that way.

"Okay." Moxxie nodded and got up from the bed

And before he even knew it he was already standing under the shower and letting warm water pour down on his body, washing away all the stench. He found it a relaxing experience that he felt was slowly washing away all his worries as well and slowly he remembered of what this day would be all about. To help Lady Stella and Lady Octavia in their training. This could truly be his breakthrough day. The day when he will be able to make an important step in truly helping Lady Stella. Not only that, but he could talk to her about two topics and those had to be chosen carefully. He could not waste this opportunity. He could not allow himself to lose this chance. No matter what happened and will happen.

"I will not fail." Moxxie felt his spirits rising as the shadow of his passed failures creeped into his mind. Judging him. "Not again."

"What ya sayin' Mox?" Millie asked him from behind the doors

"Ah-umm. Nothing. Nothing." Now he felt embarrassed, but he quickly shook that feeling off and with newfound conviction stopped the shower and got out into the bathroom to clean himself

Today he had to go there sooner. This day was the one he had to use to it's utmost limits. Moxxie started to wash himself with a towel and finally came out of the bathroom and was about to dress himself up into the suit he would wear today, but then noticed Millie sitting at their bed, clearly tired.

"Ya seem in a hurry Mox." Millie said while almost falling asleep as she was sitting there

"And you seem very tired Millie." Moxxie said with concern "Maybe you should sleep. Rest."

"Maybe, but I can't for too long." Millie said as she looked at the Skulltaker now lying against the wall "Tomorrow is a big day."

"Right." Moxxie said as he looked at the Chainaxe. Tomorrow Millie will fight in the arena in that tournament "Why were you so late?"

"Blitz didn't tell ya?" Millie asked "Loona." Both of them said in unison and Millie just nodded "Yea. That call REALLY made 'er upset." Millie explained as she looked at the window "Had to call Blitz about it soon after and… stayed with 'er until she got better." Millie then looked down and then back at Moxxie "What did ya do Mox?"

"Me? Well… I-" Moxxie tried to think of something, but he knew there was no hiding anything from Millie "I met someone in the tower. I made the call to Loona and… that was it."

"Ya mean Bartholomev?" Millie asked and seemed to have became more energetic "You met 'im? How was he like? You saw 'im fight?! Is he as big as in the pictures!? Did ya-"

"Yes. I met him." Moxxie quickly stopped Millie's questions and thought back to his meeting with the Hound Knight. It was one of the more pleasant memories from the tower "I talked with him, but only briefly. He seems like a decent person at least. Did not saw him fight though, but I can tell he is VERY large."

"Wow! Mox, sometimes ya NEED to take me with ya!" Millie proposed, but Moxxie doubted it would be a good idea "So… he made Loona-"

"No. It was someone else." Moxxie said and for a moment contemplated if he should reveal what he knew, but as he looked her in the eyes he knew he could trust her more so than anyone else in this ring or any other realm "It was… her brother."

"LOONA HAS A BROTHER!?" Millie screamed out in confusion

*KNOCK**KNOCK*

"BE QUIET DOWN THERE!" Neighbor from above got angry

"Sorry!" Millie said to the ceiling and then she toned down her voice "Loona has a brother?"

"Yes. I only found out yesterday and most likely she doesn't know that either." Moxxie said, but then he thought of what Millie and Blitzo told him "What was she upset about exactly?"

"She could not tell really." Millie said and her expression became more sad "She just… got angry and then cried and… Was that really her brother?"

"I have little doubt about it." Moxxie said "But please do not tell her about this."

"Wha? WHY?!" Millie did not follow

"I made a promise to him." Moxxie said and right now the figure of a hurt Hellhound was in front of his eyes "He asked me not to tell Loona about him, said he wants to come back to her when he is worth remembering."

"Mox. I know how that sounds, but screw that promise!" Millie was not fond of this idea "This is 'er brother, she's hurt! I say we tell 'er, find 'im and get them to meet an-"

"Millie. That wont happen. Not that easily at least." Moxxie would prefer to tell her too, but he knew well it was not to be, not now "When I met him he was in the depths of the tower and was about to be sent to Mines of Gluttony." Moxxie explained as clearly as he could "If we tell her she either way wont be able to meet him. It could hurt her even more. He wanted me not to tell her so it's not a burden for her as well and with that I intend to keep that promise."

"There has to be some way! Mox!" Millie was practically pleading now

"Maybe there is, but…" Moxxie tried to think of anything, but his mind was blank "Eh. For now just… don't tell her. If only until we find some way to find him. Is that okay?"

"I guess. I still don' like it." Millie was honest about her feelings "She can piss me off, but she is a friend. Doesn't feel right to just… keep things like it away from 'er. Ya know? Not when she helped save both ya and boss."

"I don't like it either, but it's for the better." Moxxie hoped she understood "Please. Trust me."

"Mox… Ya know I do." Millie gave him reassuring smile "But if there is a way, I will find it!"

"Hehe. Right." Moxxie loved her determination

"Well then. Now the other subject." Millie then went back to their conversation "Why are ya in such hurry?"

"Today I will be helping Lady Stella with training her daughter at their palace." Moxxie said with excitement in his voice "This could be my breakthrough today. If I use this day to it's fullest I may be able to get through to Lady Stella. I could make important step-" Moxxie stooped talking as he noticed the familiar look on Millie's face. It was look of concern and doubt. A very unsure look with tinge of sadness beneath the surface. "Millie. I am not-"

"I know Mox, it's just-" Millie did not even finish her sentence before looking away for a moment

"Millie." Moxxie sat down next to her and grabbed her hands into his "I promise you I am not-"

"I said I know!" Millie took away her hands from him and her tone made it hard to believe her words. Millie then took a deep breath and looked Moxxie once again in the eye "At least eat somethin' before puttin' that suit on." Millie pointed in the direction of their kitchen "You don't wanna be all hungry an' tired right?"

"Millie." Moxxie tried to reach out to her again, but she turned her head away

"I understand Mox." Millie looked now as if she just went through hundreds of battles with no rest and Moxxie could only feel it was his fault

"Millie. It's only few more days and-"

*This is the point of no retuuuurn!*

His phone, now with it's volume toned down started to ring. Moxxie picked it up and saw that… it was Stolas.

"Millie I need to-" Millie waved her hand, allowing him to answer

Moxxie seeing that accepted the call and started the conversation.

"Hello your m- Stolas." Moxxie corrected himself again "No need to worry, I will be at your palace shortly."

"About that friend." Those words did not sound encouraging "I am calling because of certain change in our arrangement."

"Wh-what do you mean." Moxxie did not like his tone in the slightest

"Right, let's get right to it. I believe your services are no longer required." Stolas said in an unusually cold tone

"WHAT!? Are you firing me sir?!" Moxxie could not believe what he just heard

"What is goin' on?" Millie asked him and Moxxie put his claw over his own mouth to make her quiet

"No, of course not. I am not firing you." Stolas corrected him which made Moxxie internally sigh in relief "I just think that your efforts were already more than enough. I have a new proposition for you in fact."

"What kind of proposition?" Moxxie asked and Millie was listening intently

"Nothing special. Just… cease your works right now. There is no longer any need of you to come to our palace and accompany Stella and I will of course pay you the tribute for the time you wasted on her." Wasted? Moxxie once again felt worried. What was he talking about? Something was very wrong.

"Wh-what do you mean wasted? Am I… no longer welcome at your-"

"No. You are very welcome as a friend. It's just that-" Stolas stopped for a moment, it was like he was bracing himself for what he was about to say "I came to the conclusion that my wife is not worth your talent. I deeply appreciate your efforts, but I feel like you already did more than you could be possibly asked for."

"But… what about the gift? About the song? I did not even came close to finishing it." Moxxie tried to understand

"It's no concern of yours. A gift such as this may have been too extravagant. I may be able to find a more fitting gift for the likes of her, but your contribution as I said will be deeply appreciated by me." Stolas said in a friendly tone, but things said turned something in Moxxie's stomach

"No." One word came out of Moxxie's mouth with no hesitation

"Pardon?" Stolas sounded like he was taken aback by this defiance

"Mox." Millie whispered to him "Seriously. What is-"

"I am not leaving this unfinished. The song will be ready for the party." Moxxie felt determination rise in him as he said those words, he would not give up. Not now.

"I do admire your dedication to this cause, but I am serious. Your contribution is no longer a requirement." Stolas almost sounded like he was commanding him "There is no more need for you to put yourself through so much strain. I will reward you for your efforts right now and you will be free to spend time in peace and prosperity. With your wife at your side. I do think this is more than enough."

Moxxie slowly turned to her and for a moment he considered it, but then he saw in front of him Lady Stella sitting alone among the snow and falling stars. No. He could never do it, but then again. Is this really worth straining and damaging what he already has? He could not know.

"I-"

"Whether or not you appear today at my Palace will be enough of an answer my friend." Stolas said calmly, but Moxxie could hear something beneath this peace. There was a storm in the Noble's tone. Barely restrained rage that could possibly be pointed at him as well "Think on it."

*click*

Stolas disconnected and Moxxie a second later turned off his phone.

"Soo… gonna tell me what was that about?" Millie asked

"Stolas wants me to quit." Moxxie said and still could not believe what he just heard "He said that there is no more need for my services and I am free to quit right now."

"Oh. Why?" Millie seemed surprised, although she seemed less upset about it

"No idea, but the way he spoke of it made it feel… off." Moxxie said as he recalled what Stolas was saying to him "He said she is not worthy my talent and he will find her more suitable gift."

"What will ya do now Mox?" Millie asked him with anticipation in her tone

"I obviously can't quit." Moxxie said as he put the phone on the bed "I will go there and tell Stoals that-"

"Why?" Millie stopped his speech and caused him quite a shock "I mean... Is that so wrong? Ya can quit and get paid. No more need to do this thing. Right?" Millie continued on and Moxxie was speechless "And he called ya so obviously Stolas wants you to stop. So why not do it?"

"Wha- Millie. You know you can't. It's not just about the song, it's-"

"What is it about?!" Millie stopped him again and became more agitated "What IS this about?! What's so important about that Royal!?"

"Millie, it is not just about her. It is about helping all of the-"

"Why do you care so much!?" Millie said and this made Moxxie quite shocked considering how supportive she was not a long time before this. Something changed. "I- I know ya want to help 'em. I love that about ya, but… You put far too much on yourself. You can get hurt or-"

"Millie, this is not just about danger is it?" Moxxie felt the need to call out that other side of her

"… No." Millie's expression of concern was slowly distorted by wrath "I am annoyed at how close ya start to get to 'em. To… her." Millie's voice was like acid right now "How much danger ya put yarself through. How… passionate ya are about 'er. Things ya do and say-"

"That you think I wouldn't with you." Moxxie said and Millie's expression became angrier now "Millie. If I had to I would jump into the most horrendous part of this or any other realm. I will write hundred songs about you. I will do anything for you. I-"

"And yet ya'r so desperate to meet with 'er." Millie lost patience at this point and Moxxie remained silent to not agitate her further. Slowly her expression softened, but not entirely. There was still embers of pure wrath remaining on her face "I love ya Mox. More so than any other. I know ya love me too." Millie then looked him in the eye "And I WONT let ya go. No matter what."

"It's only a few more days. I promise." Moxxie said honestly, but he himself did not know how much truth was in his words right now, how much more demanding this duty could become. Moxxie tried to reach out to take her hands, but once again she pulled them away.

"Right." Millie said as she hugged herself "Eat something. A big day is ahead of ya no?"

Millie's tone sounded defeated and Moxxie's heart became 10 times heavier in that moment. It was meant to be a simple job and now…

And now…

The shadows of the dead stared at him. His wife did not. The next few moments were a blur of unimportant information as quickly forgotten as they appeared. In the next few moments he found himself on the way to the Palace of Stolas and Stella in a bus. It was about to stop at the edge of Noble Realm. His thoughts were still occupied by the image of Millie sitting there in their house. Was he making a mistake? Should he have taken Stolas's advice and just let go and stay with her? He could not know. He already made his decision however painful it was. No matter what consequences this decision shall bring.

As the bus stopped itself for the last time Moxxie was relieved not to see any suspicious wooden statues or other such curiosities, but there was something else that caught Moxxie's attention. The carriage of Lady Stella was there not far from where it stopped with only the grim Rider George sitting in the driver's seat, still in his suit and top hat. William was not with him though. Moxxie came out of the bus and approached him.

"What are you doing here?" Moxxie asked

"*grumble*" That explained absolutely nothing

'Hell-o!" Then suddenly familiar voice spoke

It was Sophie sitting on the rooftop of the Carriage waving at him. She was wearing now far more clean suit. An elegant black and white dress adorned with silver buttons with now a black collar around her neck and one white ribbon around her right horn. But what caught Moxxie's attention was something in her hair. They were now a bit shorter, only going slightly below her neck and were more cleaned up, but among them Moxxie saw some small branches. Or rather… roots.

"Hello Sophie!" Moxxie waved and was glad to see her safe and well, even if those roots concerned him. He will have to ask someone about them "Why are you both here?"

"*grumble*"

"Boss Lady ask-d to trans-port? yu safe-le!" Sophie happily translated as best as she could

"*grumble*"

"Thank-yu-Sophi." Sophie said and then gasped and pointed at herself "That me name!"

"Yes. Of course!" Moxxie answered and looked over at George "Should I go inside or?"

"*grumble*" George grumbled and patted the place beside him

"Com-pan-e is all-ways well-come!" Sophie said

Moxxie only nodded and sat besides George while Sophie sat on the rooftop again. For the first time Moxxie got the chance to ride next to the driver's seat. It felt interesting, even if the skeletal horses unnerved him a bit and the stench coming off from George made Moxxie slightly repulsed, but not as much as the stench he exuded not long before this point. Soon enough George made the horses move and they started walking forward at a decent pace. Moxxie felt that it would not be too long before they were at the palace.

"So… where is William?" Moxxie asked, deciding to finally get to know more about the master of those horses now that he can understand him

"*grumble*"

"Lady Boss asked Will-Yum? To start wor-king in the gar-den." Sophie translated "What a Gar?"

"*grumble*" George grumbled

"It is one-"

"*grumble*"

"Oh! Okie!" Sophie nodded and stopped her previous translation

"Hmm." Sophie right now reminded Moxxie of that braindead Imp from the depths of the tower. How many of their kind are like this? He wondered. How many of them are in such awful states of mind? How lucky he is to not be one of them? Moxxie did not wish to know.

"Do you… like your job?" Moxxie decided to not think about it and ask George some more who this time simply nodded without grumbling. Despite not moving his face even an inch Moxxie could see in his eyes a sense of satisfaction and care as George looked at the skeletons leading them. He really enjoyed it. He loved it and those creatures used to move this carriage. Moxxie though still felt unnerved by them.

"*grumble*" George grumbled and showed him his leashes

"Want to try?" Sophie translated and then her eyes became filled with stars "OH! ME TOO! ME WANT TOO!"

"N-no, thank you. I'd rather not." Moxxie did not want to accidentally ruin something or make those things angry "But thank you for the offer."

"So me?" Sophie practically pleaded and jumped from the roof and squished herself between them

"*grumble*" George let her pick them up

"YAY!" Sophie was excited, but before she could do anything George grabbed her hands

"*grumble*" George grumbled once and moved her hands a bit "*grumble*" then he moved them slightly more and horses started to speed up a bit "*grumble*" then moved them again and they slowed down "*grumble*" and then grumbled a bit more, but this time he let go of her hands

"Me got! Thank you!" Sophie said and kissed George in his cheek, an act that was both adorable and slightly disgusting given the looks of George

Sophie did not seem to have issues with driving this carriage. George must be quite a good teacher if one minute of training is enough. Meanwhile Moxxie had the chance to get a closer look at Sophie's hair. Yes. Those were roots. Similar ones to the roots that one Hound had before the Theatre and Succubus at Gap's estate, but those were very young. Moxxie became slightly more worried.

"*grumble*" George grumbled towards Moxxie

"Want to pet?" Sophie said as she was focusing on the road "YES!"

"*grumble*" George grumbled at her before she let go of the leashes

"Oh. Sorry." Sophie said in apologetic tone and George patted her on the head which returned her smile

"I don't know. Is it… safe?" Moxxie asked and once again George nodded and petted the horse on his side, one with red lights in it's eye sockets

Moxxie looked worried at the horse beneath him, but slowly he gathered some of the courage and brought his hand closer to the spine of the skeletal horse and the moment his claw connected with it

*HNNGH*

Suddenly the horse started to become wild and so did the one next to it, making the entire carriage shake as a result.

"AAH!" Moxxie tried to keep himself from falling

"*GRUMBLE*" George loudly grumbled as he was almost thrown off as well

Sophie though somehow was keeping her hands steady on the leashes.

"Easy horsies!" Sophie pulled the leashes "Sophie love you both! Sophie care for you! Nothing scary going. Promise!"

Sophie pleaded with the horses and surprisingly they started to calm down and soon enough they were back on the road as if nothing happened.

"*grumble*" George grumbled

"Yeah. I think you're right." Moxxie did not need a translation for this one

Several more minutes have passed and Moxxie looked again at Sophie who seemed to be quite natural at handling this carriage. Still focusing on the roots in her hair.

"George." Moxxie called out to him and George looked in his direction "Any idea what those things in her hair are?"

"*grumble*" He grumbled

"Oo… Many words. Head hurt." Sophie did not seem comfortable with translating it. Moxxie wondered how much of this headache was caused by those roots.

George simply shrugged and sat back, looking forward. Moxxie assumed it was nothing serious given how he reacts and how previous people he met with those were acting, but it still did not sit right with him that she had those things on her. Maybe Stolas or Lady Stella will tell him more.

"*grumble*" George said and pointed forward

"YES! SOPHIE SEE!" Sophie got excited and started going faster

Moxxie saw it too. Palace of Stolas and Stella. Palace of Sun and Moon. It's gates slowly opened and on the courtyard Moxxie once more saw Lord Stolas waiting there. As they all got closer Moxxie noticed something wrong about him. While other times he was either happy or indifferent to see him, this time he looked… disappointed. Moxxie could tell his decision did not please Stolas, but he made his decision already.

Finally Sophie stopped the Carriage as they arrived in the courtyard and George nodded towards her and gently took his leashes, but not before patting her on the head again.

"Thank you for your help." Moxxie said with genuine gratitude towards both of themselves

George simply bowed his head and Sophie had a proud smile on her face.

"Sophi drive good yes?" Sophie asked

"Of course!" Moxxie said and smiled at her "Very good."

Sophie looked very happy to hear that and George himself offered a small smile towards him. Moxxie finally got off the seat and waved them goodbye. Now he turned around and walked towards Lord Stolas who still remained there with his displeased look on his beak. Now Moxxie did not feel comfortable with even approaching him. It was like a dark cloud was hanging over him, like he was an eye of a raging storm.

"H-Hello." Moxxie tried to be calm, but he found it much harder now as he looked at the noble who's eyes were filled with unseen yet contempt by him. Was he the reason for it?

"You arrived." Stolas's voice was but a whisper at first, like a flimsy piece of wooden wall holding back an unstoppable tempest from destroying a house "In a new suit as well." Stolas said as he focused on the suit Moxxie got from Andrealphus

"Yes. I don't know what prompted this sudden change, but I wont leave. I cannot Stolas." Moxxie said while avoiding the topic of the suit which most likely would anger Stolas even more. He hoped those words would be enough to calm him down, but his words seemed to have little to no effect.

"What is it that you seek?" Stolas asked him "What has changed that you are so invested in this… quest?"

"…" Moxxie thought for a moment about it, about all the reasons he could think of, but only one came to his mind. A word he heard from another noble he met, one describing better than any other what he felt about this family. Stella. Octavia. And Stolas. Moxxie looked at him into his 4 eyes and said "Duty."

"Hmph." Stolas seemed unimpressed, but then his eyes became more sad as he looked away from him "Consider yourself lucky that you can choose one."

Moxxie had no answer to that. Only for a minute he looked at this noble. He was larger than any life Moxxie could ever have and yet now… it felt like they were not too different from one another. For a moment he could see something beneath this noble veneer and it made him uneasy. The more he looked at him the more he realized how little he knew about him and the more he knew the more he felt like he did not want to.

"If you wish to find my wife I believe she is in the Armory of hers." Stolas said and moved towards the gates of the palace that slowly opened before him. Moxxie followed him into the main hall, but just as Moxxie was about to turn in the direction Stella took him when they first when there Stolas instead moved up the stairs and turned towards the wing where their main bedrooms were. He had no intention of leading him there.

For a moment Moxxie felt hurt over this, but that feeling soon passed as it was replaced with dread of navigating through this palace all alone, but soon enough from the corridor to his left another imp came. This one was about the same size as him, he had a usual attire of a noble servant. He had white, short hair and 2 straight black and white horns growing upwards. He bowed before Moxxie.

"D-d-do you need a-a-a-assista-ance?" Imp seemed pretty neurotic as well

"Yes, I would be glad if you helped me find the way to the armory." Moxxie said and put his hands together and bowed a little to the butler

"S-s-sure thing s-s-sir. Come w-with me." Imp waved his hand and lead Moxxie to the corridor he came from

"What is your name?" Moxxie asked him as he walked next to the butler

"L-l-leopold sir." Leopold answered with a small, unsure smile

"No need to call me sir, sir." Moxxie said as he scratched his head "My name is Moxxie."

"I-I-I see." Leopold said and looked forward and lead Moxxie further

"Do you… enjoy working here?" Moxxie said as they walked some more

"N-no. Not really." Leopold was sincere

"Oh… then why are you working here?" Moxxie asked, hoping he did not just pulled on a sensitive string

"Family tradition." Leopold said and his voice became more and more confident the more they spoke "M-my great grandfather started as a butler. I think it was for King Paimon himself even!" Leopold seemed very proud of that "W-well, it would not feel right to not continue this… tradition."

"And you found yourself in court of Paimon's heir." Moxxie pointed out and Leopold laughed quietly

"Hehe. Y-yeah. This world is large, but… I prefer to make mine smaller. If only not to get lost in it." Leopold answered and Moxxie understood, especially given where they were

"But you could always strive for something better." Moxxie pointed out

"He… M-me? No. Nononono. Not for me. Better life is not for likes of me." Leopold said and it made Moxxie pity him

"That is not true. I'm sure you can find something good in life." Moxxie tried to encourage him "You just have to go out. Look at the larger world."

"Maybe? Maybe not?" Leopold seemed to consider it "I don't know. I prefer to be here. It's not good, but it is something I know. Something I know I can do."

"Listen just-… try to leave this palace every once in a while. I do believe you will manage just fine." Moxxie said to him and again, he seemed to consider his words "I mean… you are able to get around this confu-"

Moxxie suddenly was cut off as Leopold's finger came onto his face

"N-n-no need t-t-t-t-to say it. REALLY." His voice became more disjointed again and his tone became quite urgent. Moxxie looked around and got his face closer to Leopold as he covered his face.

"Is something wrong?" Moxxie asked Leopold quietly who looked around nervously

"Absolutely not! This castle is an amazing work of art! I would not change working HERE for anywhere else!" Leopold said it in a way that made it feel like he wanted it to be heard, but by whom?

"Is someone observing us?" Moxxie said and looked around again

"This palace is… special." Leopold said quietly and looked around nervously "Just… do not say anything insulting about it. We already lost too many Hounds we released trying to find those who did."

"There are wild hounds roaming those halls?" Moxxie asked and Leopold shrugged

"Some demons could be lost for weeks in these halls, but… it feels like sometimes someone or something just… disappears." Leopold said and Moxxie now with worry looked at the reflective walls of the palace. It was like even his reflection was observing him for any wrong move. "Ah. Here we are."

Leopold said and Moxxie realized they already arrived at the armory. Well, at least now Moxxie will be in the company of Lady Stella and Octavia. This is the start of a brand new day. Slowly the doors to the armory opened and once again Moxxie's eyes were blinded by it's golden light. Closer to the end of it were both Octavia and Stella. They seemed to be talking about something. Or rather Stella was telling Octavia something while Octavia looked displeased. Moxxie decided to approach them.

As Moxxie got closer he noticed that Lady Stella today wore a new attire unlike Octavia who wore her regular casual outfit. She was wearing instead of her regular large, regal dress a far more light clothes. She wore a white tunic that had parts of it in turquoise color and she also wore gray pants over her avian legs with only her clawed feet being visible. It was quite a different look from what Moxxie was used to, but he could not say he was complaining as this suit showed more of Lady Stella's outstanding figure. The closer he got the more audible Stella's words became.

"-and remember. A word, much like a blade is a weapon that cuts both ways Octavia." Stella said to Octavia who seemed to not enjoy this lecture, but then looked over at Moxxie approaching them "You finally arrived Bard."

"At your service my lady." Moxxie bowed to her and looked at Octavia who waved at him "So… What we shall be doing today?" Moxxie asked, but one look from Lady Stella told him quite clearly to guess and Moxxie looked over her new attire "Is this going to be a… weapons training?"

"Yes." Stella said as she stood tall above both him and Octavia "Recent events made me aware of my negligence when it comes to true responsibility of a noble." Stella looked over at Octavia "And today in here we shall commence a weapons training." Stella then turned to Moxxie "And you Bard will be the one to train with my daughter."

"W-wha-… Me?" Moxxie got quite confused "I-I'm very sorry my Lady, but I don't think I have… good enough abilities to spar." Moxxie got quite flustered and then looked at Octavia "And I would never want to possibly harm Young Lady or-"

"You wont. That I know for sure." Lady Stella said with confidence

"Mom. This is REALLY not necessary." Octavia tried to speak some sense into her "I also don't want to hurt him. Do I really need to spar with him?"

"Spar? Who said you have to spar with him Octavia?" Stella asked making Moxxie question what she had planned and Octavia looked about just as lost as she looked over at Moxxie "No. You misunderstood. You will not spar with him. You will train him." Stella said with a commanding tone making Octavia visibly worried "You are not yet a master, I know. You may not even be a novice, but your status demands that you learn how to lead Octavia and this will be a good opportunity for you to pass on what I told you unto another."

"Wh-I- But- H-how does that make any sense?" Octavia questioned her mother's sanity at this point

"Your role Octavia does not end on your family name. You have to carry yourself as a leader if you are to be fit to be part of the Ars Geotia. To all of us falls the task of responsibility and you are no exception Octavia." Stella said as she got closer to her, knelt down and grabbed her by her shoulders "In fact yours may be more important than neither you or me could ever imagine."

Stella said and slowly got up on her legs and moved herself out of the way. Now Octavia was facing Moxxie who did not know what to say to her besides giving her reassuring smile and a thumbs up even if he himself felt very lost in this situation.

"So…" Octavia looked over at her mom who returned a very stern look saying 'It is up to you. Not me.' which made Octavia look again at Moxxie "F-first I think we should… grab a weapon?"

"Is that a question?" Stella asked almost mockingly which made Octavia shake her head

"N-no! We will grab a weapon!" Octavia said and Moxxie nervously looked around at all the possibly sources of severe bodily harm "But not like those. I mean the wooden ones."

Moxxie only nodded in acknowledgment, but then he looked around looking for them. Without a word Octavia without greater confidence moved somewhere and Moxxie followed her. Lady Stella was not far behind them all the while Leopold was watching them from the doors of the armory. Finally they appeared in front of the chest with a lot of wooden weapons. Octavia looked over it and then at Moxxie.

"Pick whatever you want Moxxie." Octavia said and Moxxie slowly walked up to the chest. There were many weapons there, but many of them were far too large for him. A spear would be good as it had the greatest reach and doesn't require much skill to use. Moxxie was about to each to it "M-maybe not that." Octavia said and Moxxie for a moment looked at her and then tried to take something else. His eye saw a strange stick that had at it's end a large ball with wooden spikes. It reminded him of Millie in a way, invoked a strange nostalgic feeling. Maybe- "Maybe something else?" Octavia then said before Moxxie could take it

"Octavia." Stella said again with a stern tone

"Right. Right." Octavia said and tried to regain her composure "I meant that… we will train with a sword today. If that is to your liking."

"Oh. Of course. Let me just-"

"Enough." Stella said suddenly and pulled Moxxie away from the chest "It is truly a waste of time."

"What!? WAIT!" Octavia then had a sudden burst of emotions "I can still-"

"You cannot." Stella said with a very cold voice "No need to prolong this emba-"

"NO!" Octavia denied her which made Stella turn around and face her "I will do it! I know I can!"

Stella said nothing for a moment and then slowly nodded and let Moxxie go who slowly went up to the chest. Moxxie saw what she was doing. Agitating her into taking action. Forcing her to be more confident with her quick dismissal at the first signs of hesitation. As cold as this method was it seemed to be quite effective as Octavia's speech and stance become better in a matter of seconds.

"*sigh* We will train with a sword today." Octavia said with far more confidence in her words "For you I believe a shortsword would be most fitting. Find it."

Moxxie quickly nodded. It was true, with his smaller size only such weapon would be really fitting. Moxxie looked into the chest and looked through the weapons there and in a few moments finally found the wooden shortsword that fit in his hand. Moxxie presented it to Octavia.

"Good." Octavia said and smiled

"Are you sure this is not a dagger?" Stella asked and both Moxxie and Octavia suddenly with worry looked at the wooden weapon, but soon enough both of them realized the cheeky deceit.

"Ha ha mom." Octavia said, not very amused by this jest "Not funny."

"It is not meant to be. You can never be sure of anything in this or any other world." Stella said while looking at the weapon in Moxxie's hand "But this is in fact a shortsword." Moxxie barely stopped himself from chuckling

"So… what now?" Moxxie asked Octavia, acknowledging her as the one who has to teach him something "Do I spar with you or…"

"What? Oh right." Octavia quickly looked around and her sight at first went to Stella who took a more prepared stance and Moxxie immediately got very worried, but then she looked over at the door where Leopold was still standing "You there! Le… Leopold! Leo! Come here!" Octavia said and Leopold looked around and then pointed at himself. Octavia nodded and slowly Leo went up to them.

"You remember the name of one such as this." Stella asked Octavia as she pointed at Leopold with her beak

"Just because I am meant to stand high doesn't mean I should forget about what's below." Octavia said and even Moxxie was slightly impressed and Stella seemed to share the feeling as she respectfully nodded her head "Okay. So Leo. I want you to spar with Moxxie."

"Oh. S-s-sure young lady!" Leopold bowed his head respectfully and turned towards Moxxie "R-r-r-ready when you are." Leopold said and took a more defensive stance with his fists

"Umm, I believe you should have a weapon on your claws Leopold" Octavia pointed out

"I agree. This doesn't seem fair." Moxxie said

"I-I prefer to hold no weapon. Wooden or otherwise." Leopold seemed to have some confidence in his words "B-b-but I would suggest taking off that b-b-beautiful suit. I-i-it may hinder your movement. And it can get stained."

"Oh." Moxxie just realized his poor choice of attire for this and started to unbutton his suit with slight embarrassment revealing a white sleeveless shirt beneath it, he did not look out of shape given his line of work, but it could be better. Moxxie neatly folded it and placed it gently on the floor next to one of the pillars and then Moxxie noticed that the butler did not do the same yet "I feel like it would help you as well friend."

"What? O-oh right. H-how inconsiderate. One minute." Leopold started to take off his suit as well, but what was beneath it shocked Moxxie. This little imp looked strong. Beneath his shirt were surprisingly well toned muscles on his hands and shoulders that contrasted quite a bit with butler's innocent face "Something wrong?" Leopold said as Moxxie kept staring at him and so did Octavia who also seemed to be in quite a shock at the well built nature of the imp "T-those? N-nothing special. B-b-being thrown around can help in building your p-p-physique. A-a-and as a butler of this house I also need to p-p-protect royal line to the best of my ability." Leopold said and Lady Stella for a moment looked away from the butler. Moxxie could imagine what he meant by being thrown around "Now… are you ready?"

Moxxie felt in that moment quite small compared to this imp. If he wanted he could probably snap Moxxie's sword in two with his bare hands.

"Can you… try not to break that weapon?" Octavia asked Leo

"O-of course." Leopold nodded

"Okay then. First try to attack Moxxie." Octavia said and Moxxie was not sure about this as he looked at the imp before him

But in a moment he tried to take a swing at Leo.

*SLAM*

Next thing Moxxie knew was that he was on the ground and his world was spinning.

"Are you okay?" Octavia asked him who looked at him from above. Somehow there was about 5 of them all around him and he heard a distant ringing in his head

"Why is world upside down? And why are there so many of you?" Moxxie asked as he pointed at one of the Octavias and another one grabbed his hand and helped him get up on his hooves "What happened?" Moxxie tried to remember anything as he held his hurting head

"I-I will try to be more g-g-gentle next time." Leopold spoke and gave Moxxie his sword while Lady Stella looked unimpressed

"Moxxie. Come here." Octavia prompted Moxxie to come over as Moxxie's world finally stopped spinning "Do not charge at him. You have a sword, he has fists. He has to come to you."

"Right, but… You told me to attack?" Moxxie pointed out, it was quite obvious from his perspective and for a moment Octavia looked a bit embarrassed as well

"Ah. Right." Octavia said as she placed a hand on her beak for a moment before coming closer to Moxxie again "Okay, but maybe try holding your weapon better. Hold it with one hand like this." Octavia said and took the wooden sword from Moxxxie and proceeded to do a very elegant stance with it, hiding herself behind a weapon, making her body stand in line with it's blunt blade "Make yourself as small as possible." Octavia gave Moxxie back his blade and farther away from them Lady Stella gave barely noticeable nod of approval "And… observe." Octavia said as she looked at Leopold "Take your time before attacking. Wait patiently and study your opponent."

"Which part should I focus on?" Moxxie asked and looked at Leo and those tree trunks he called arms were the most eye catching part on him "Besides the obvious."

"Do not?" Octavia seemed lost as she said it, but soon enough her tone became more sure of herself "Do not focus on a single part of your opponent. Watch them in their entirety. Focusing on one part will lead to another beatdown." Octavia said and Moxxie could see what she meant, focusing on one part of one's body is a mistake and it reminded him of something

"Hehe. On one mission I heard a human listen to some kind of video. I heard there words… If you focus on a leaf you will lose a tree, focus on a tree-"

"And you lose the entire forest." Octavia finished this mantra, she seemed well versed in some pieces of human literature as well "Exactly. Keep all of him in your eyesight and remember." Octavia then whispered him into his ear "Expect the unexpected… Or make way for the unexpected."

Moxxie listened intently and nodded. He looked back at Leo who was looking down with a shy expression and his muscular form was reflected in the polished floor of the Armory. It was like he was looking for some kind of stain. While some of his confidence was dwindled by this sight, it also gave Moxxie an idea.

"Are you ready Bard?" Stella asked as she saw him and Octavia stop talking

"I am!" Moxxie as he stood tall against Leo and looked at him, observed him.

"Fine then. Whoever makes the opponent give up first. Wins." Stella said without letting Octavia speak up first

"WHAT?!" Octavia did not seem to anticipate it "B-but, shouldn't the rules be like-"

"Who said they have to be?" Stella asked Octavia "You seemed confident in whatever you told to Bard so let's see how it fares in practice."

This made Moxxie's situation very tricky now, but he still felt like he had what it took to win here. Moxxie took a stance Octavia told him to take. It did feel more reassuring, but most definitely he would not be able to swing at Leo without him catching his sword and beating him. Leo was slowly moving towards Moxxie and despite his innocent appearance every part of his body looked like it was ready to throw him around like a ragdoll. Moxxie remained patient however and stood there without moving even once. Octavia seemed to get nervous as even she seemed lost as to what Moxxie was doing while Stella just looked at them without showing any particular feeling.

Leopold slowly came closer and Octavia was getting more and more on the edge. This change of rules clearly shook her, but Moxxie would not let this be a loss. He observed Leopold in his entirety. He seemed very uncertain at first glance, but beyond that first impression there was confidence lurking beneath. This was no uncertainty about victory, he knew he would win, but he was not sure how severe he should make this victory. He was confident in his abilities, arrogant even. Leopold got closer and closer until he was almost in the swords reach and his body slightly shifted to the side as he was about to attempt to jump sideways. And then-

*SPIT*

Moxxie spit on the floor and Leopold's gaze followed the drop of saliva with horror.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? DO YOU KNOW HOW LON-"

*STAB*

Suddenly a wooden sword's tip was burrowed into Leo's gut and made him spit out some saliva of his own as he jumped away from the painful stab of the blunt weapon. It must have been a very resilient wood if it managed to not break against his form. Moxxie did not hit him very hard, but for what he wanted to do it was enough.

"*cough**cough*" Leopold coughed a bit and held his stomach. "N-nice one. But it will take more than that to…"

Leopold immediately went quiet and put his hands in the air as he saw what Moxxie just did. Moxxie used this stab to get away from him and pulled one of the guns he had in his suit he placed on the floor and pointed it right at Leopold.

"Well?" Moxxie dearly hoped Leopold would not do anything stupid "Say it."

"I yield." Leopold said and Moxxie slowly put his gun down, letting Leopold relax as well

*clap*clap*clap*clap*clap*

Lady Stella a bit farther away clapped at Moxxie's victory. Octavia seemed very happy about it as well as she looked at Moxxie.

"C-c-congratulations Moxxie." Leopold said and bowed his head before him

"It's nothing. It was a pretty dirty move not gonna lie." Moxxie admitted as he placed his gun back into his suit "I hope you are not upset Leopold."

"O-o-of course not. I also chose my own w-w-weapon technically." Leopold was a good sport about it

"Very good Bard." Stella said as she approached them and looked at Octavia as well "I assume my lessons came into play in this right?"

"Of course mom." Octavia did not hid what she did "But I'm glad it turned out well."

"Just remember Octavia, not all lessons you will teach will come from me or anyone else." Stella said with a stoic tone "Part of our life is finding our own lessons to teach."

Octavia nodded while Moxxie and Leopold slowly put on their suits back on.

"Well then, I believe a next lesson is in order. Octavia-"

"Mom… How about we will try something else?" Octavia interrupted Stella

"Like what?" Stella seemed curious

"Moxxie once told me that he can help me with a guitar practice so maybe today… all of us can do teaching and learning. Does that sound… okay?" Octavia said and Stella seemed to at least think about it "We can both play something and evaluate one another and learn."

"… Possibly." Stella said and then looked at Moxxie. Moxxie then remembered the talk they had when they were getting to Prince Gaap's estate. About a day for them to do something they all could enjoy. To bond with her. This was a good chance and Moxxie enthusiastically nodded his head "Yes. I think we can."

"REALLY!?" Octavia looked ecstatic to hear those words and nod of Stella made her jump in place and even squeal "Yes! I will get the guitar from my room! We can meet in the music room! I- I will be with you shortly."

Octavia after the last words ran out of the armory leaving the rest of them alone there.

"D-did I do good Lady S-S-Stella?" Leopold asked and bowed his head

"Yes." Stella said as she gave him a passing glance "Now go."

Leopold bowed again and left the armory as well. Moxxie slowly started to piece things together.

"All of this was staged?" Moxxie asked Stella in disbelief

"Not the entirety of it and original plans I had were different, but…" Stella slowly looked at the floor and then at Moxxie "It turned out well at least. As well as such disturbance could."

"Well… I'm glad to hear it My Lady." Moxxie said as he looked at Lady Stella who was now looking at the open doors of the armory "So… Should we go?"

"Yes, in a short moment." Stella said as she now looked at the place Moxxie spit on

"Oh. I'm VERY sorry." Moxxie said as he took one napkin from his suit and started to wipe that spot "It was the only thing I could think of and-"

"It is not an issue." Lady Stella's words surprised Moxxie who in a moment stopped his cleaning and the floor now was back to being as pristine as it was before "I am impressed bard. Truly."

"I-Thank you." Moxxie did not know what else to say, he felt honored hearing that "Is something the matter?"

"…" Stella did not say anything and Moxxie tried to think of a way to break this awkward silence

"We are alone now so… Maybe we can use one of the two topics? Maybe one from yesterday?" Moxxie suggested and Stella silently nodded "So, it was on my mind ever since we left the tower. Your family My lady. Your parents, grandparents…" Moxxie looked at Lady Stella who seemed still lost in thought, he was unable to tell what she was truly thinking about "Is it okay for me to ask about that?"

"Yes." Stella did not seem to mind… for now "And I get your… confusion. It is an unusual family."

"I say it is quite a prestigious family." Moxxie had to admit "House of Lord Governor and Mephisto himself. Child of greatest Knight of Hell. Your family line is legendary my Lady."

"Line made of living gods of our world. Do not be fooled though. It is not as wonderful as a lowborn would think." Stella had no semblance of pride in her voice "My lineage is filled with expectations and contempt. Our forefathers either despise us or abandoned us and our line is brought down by our shames and failures." Stella's tone became more and more grim with every passing word "We are for now nothing more than a lesson of what happens when a mighty house falls and the higher one is the more terrible their fall." Stella's voice started to become weak "Now duty of mine is to begin the resurrection of my house for my family's sake and I am almost at the end of it."

"What caused this fall though? Why are you like… this?" Moxxie was still lost, he had in his mind those words about losing a king and strange images from one of the stories of Azazel, but had no clue how all of them fit into this

"No singular event. We were doomed from the moment we were all born. Our existence was never truly desired." There was no doubt about this fact in Stella's voice "But we will preserve. That's what we always did and that's what I will do as well. No matter what."

"I… understand." Moxxie felt inspired as he heard her words, he felt strength building in his spirit and new words possibly filling the lyrics of his song

"If you wish to learn more I say wait for another day. It is not a topic I wish to dwell on today." Moxxie understood that too, it must not be easy for her to think all of this

"Maybe we should move on to the music room. Maybe a new melody can help with those thoughts My Lady."

Stella nodded in agreement and both of them turned to the doors of the armory and left it alone as it's walls started to slowly move and writhe and then stopped.

Meanwhile on the other side of the castle a father arrived in his daughter's room, looking for something. Stolas grew weary as he thought of what Stella could have been doing with his precious child. There were times when he wanted to just storm into that armory and take Octavia with him and not let Stella hurt her in any way, not let her corrupt her into becoming what she is, but every time he decided not to, but he did gave in to the temptation of looking at what Octavia has been making for her mother.

He did promise he would help her so he decided to uphold his promise and at least see the current fruits of her efforts and possibly help however he could, even if he felt like Stella deserved no gift from her nor from him anymore. As he looked through Octavia's room a peculiar chest next to Octavia's bed caught his eye, on that bed he also saw her guitar she liked to play on. He felt compelled to search through the chest to see what she could have been working on.

*creeaaak*

Carefully Stolas opened the chest as quietly as he could. Inside he saw a lot of books, strings, old phone, brushes, paints and pieces of paper. On many of them he saw different kinds of paintings. First ones he noticed were the paintings of Stella. Many of them very well refined, but every one of them was either unfinished or crossed out with a red paint. None of them satisfying to her it seems. So this was the gift she wanted to give, a painting of Stella. What made Stolas feel uneasy was the sight of Stella's smile on some of them. It was unnatural for him at this point to even imagine one on her.

That was all he really needed to see really, but he felt compelled to look deeper into this chest. Maybe there is something more to see from Octavia. Maybe she has a talent for it she can cultivate. He looked deeper and saw more drawings.

Some he recognized from Octavia's childhood. Some happy memories from some of their journeys across the realms of Hell. Spires of Envy. Secured sightseeing on Sloth. One piece of art also contained some stick figures standing among the purple pillars, most likely representing him, Octavia and… Stella. They were all smiling like they all never truly did together.

Among those he also saw drawings that perturbed him. Like the Robot from Loo Loo Land portrayed as a fiend plucking her feathers with black blood on his teeth. Or just a page filled with black paint with the mask of his father at the center of it. She must have been scared of him. Then again. She was not alone in this fear. Just looking at this picture disturbed Stolas. He wished to never look upon it again.

And then there was a drawing of her looking at the… sinner. She was holding his hand. He remembered this one, it was one of the slaves of his good friend Sitri. One day he took Octavia there to meet him when she was younger. Strange. He thought Octavia had no problems with those slaves. He probably should talk with her about it at some point.

But then one the side of the chest he saw a small box. It looked familiar to him. Almost like-

"Naughty, naughty~"

"WH-" Stolas quickly turned around and put everything he was looking at back in the chest. When he looked behind him he saw a shining blue and white light and an even brighter, insufferable smile. Andrealphus. "(How did he hid that light for so long?)"

"My. What are you doing there brother?" Andrealphus deeply enjoyed rubbing it in Stolas's face that they are a family "Creeping into your own daughter's secrets. Oh my. You actually CAN succeed at something. You meet all the lowest expectations I had of you." Andrealphus said with a teasing tone and started to clap mockingly "Congratulations."

"What are you doing in my house?!" Stolas did not want him anywhere close to this room "Leave. Now."

"Your house?" Andrealphus for a moment looked shocked and put a hand over the tip of his beak, only to remove it and show his annoying smile "I would like to remind you that this is palace of Sun AND Moon. It belongs to you as much as it belongs to my sister." Andrealphus said as he pointed first at Stolas and then waved his hand into empty space beside him and then pointed at himself "Your father may have raised it's precious walls from those very grounds, but by right it belong to both of our families. Whether it is to your liking or not." Every word said by this peacock made Stolas's blood boil.

"Are you here to educate me?" Stolas wanted him to get to the point already

"Ha! Educating you at this point is a fool's errand. Time for it has been forfeit long ago brother." Andrealphus kept evading "But, if you wish to know I am here to meet with my dear niece to discuss something with her."

"She is training with Stella right now." Stolas said as he crossed his arms "Is that good enough of an answer?"

"Why of course. But then what are you doing here?" Andrealphus said as he pointed at Stolas and then looked at the chest he was looking through before that "What is it that you seek I wonder?"

"That is none of your business Andrealphus!" Stolas wanted him to back off, but then in a blink of an eye Andrealphus moved next to him and looked down at the chest.

"Now don't be like that. It is about my niece so it is very much my business." Andrealphus said and put a hand on Stolas's shoulder. His touch was cold like void of space. "And I know a thing or two about business." Then Andrealphus removed his hand and squatted in front of the chest "Now what are we looking for?"

"WE?!" Stolas looked down at him with amazement at his audacity, but one look from Andrealphus already told Stolas he wont be going away anytime soon

"Of course. An act of utter indecency towards one's own kin is just the kind of brotherly bonding we both need!" Stolas had no idea whether or not he was serious and that's what made him most uncomfortable. Andrealphus on the other claw just prompted him to come closer with his finger "Now come on." Stolas had no idea why, but he knelt down next to Andrealphus and looked into the chest.

"I was looking for what Octavia was making for Stella." Stolas said, hoping this strange bonding experience would be over soon "Is that enough?"

"Yes. Yes. I can already see." Andrealphus said and without a hint of shame pulled out some of the paintings of Stella from the chest and started looking through them one by one "Eyebrows too big, eyebrows too small, shape of the head is all wrong. The beak looks more like that of a chicken. Hehe. I don't think I've EVER seen this kind of smile on little Stelly." Andrealphus said similar comments about every other piece of artwork "Yes. Just as I thought. All crap."

And without hesitation slammed all of them back into the chest.

"She tried her best." Stolas could tell that

"Oh I do not discount that possibility. In fact, she has potential." Andrealphus's switch in tone was baffling to say the least "She just needs proper guidance and-"

"I already let your sister train her, I wont suffer another one of you doing the same." Stolas snapped at him just at the possibility

"Oh my. Look who finally grew something between their legs. Were 400 years needed for each one?" Andrealphus said and let out a small laugh "Hehehe. Honestly I can't tell if I even like that. On one hand it is amusing to see you so assertive, but on another..." And now his tone became more threatening until he looked back in the chest and it seemed to stop him from continuing. Then he put his hand back in the chest "And what do we have here."

And he pulled out the small box Stolas saw before. Those were… cigarettes. Not too dissimilar from those he usually smoked.

"Wh-what?" Stolas felt bewildered as he looked at them "Is that… Octavia's?"

"Hmm. Given they were in a chest neither you or me ever opened before in the bedroom of sweet little Octavia I say the evidence is… inconclusive." Andrealphus's sarcasm was palpable "Now. Do not make that face. We are not so pathetic to get affected by those unlike those mortals who arrive here every day" Andrealphus nonchalantly threw them back into the chest "It's like breathing with extra steps. Then again, I think we both know that well."

"She never told me..." Stolas did not know how to feel about this

"Well she never told me either. Think about how I feel." Andrealphus made an overdramatic gesture by putting back of his hand over his forehead and then quickly looked back at the chest "Now let's see what else our little princess hides."

"No. Stop!" Stolas grabbed him by the hand "It-it's wrong. We should stop."

"Pfth. If you truly thought like that you would not be here in the first place brother." Andrealphus said and something in Stolas's mind agreed, but he still wished to stop "Come on… Just one more secret."

Stolas thought about it for a minute. To intrude upon her privacy was a mistake from the start, but is it okay to stop now? Maybe he should and let Octavia have some secrets… But what if those secrets hide something terrible? What if she could be in some danger she would put herself through? That IS a good reason to check in the box yes? Just to be sure she is safe. Just to be sure.

"Sure." Stolas said without thinking

"Ahhh… You sink lower and lower." Andrealphus said with hint of disgust in his voice "Keep it up and you will surpass even my lowest expectations."

Andrealphus and Stolas then looked one last time into the chest and among the drawings and some tools Stolas noticed something else. A small stuffed toy of a smiling apple humanoid from Loo Loo Land. He remembered it. Octavia won it back at Loo Loo Land. Stolas wanted to win it for her, but even at her young age she was determined to try on her own. Stolas did convince the conman behind that attraction to let her win in secret though. He still remembered her smile, how happy she was over her victory. He wished to be back at that day. He would give anything to be back at that moment.

"Now what do we have here?" Andrealphus said with curiosity at the animal

"This toy Octavia won at Loo Loo Land." Stolas started reminiscing "It was-"

"No. Not that. Are you an Owl or an Oaf?" Andrealphus cut off his nostalgic moment and pointed at the back of the plush toy "Here~" And suddenly he burrowed his hand into it

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU STUPI-"

*PULL*

And then he pulled something out. It was a small vial. Full off… light.

"What?!" Stolas could not believe it. She had… a drug. "How!? WHERE!?"

"Now now before you go ballistic on this room let me examine it." Andrealphus sounded oddly serious "Hmm. Yes, yes. I know this one." Andrealphus said and his face was contorted by unseen before disgust "Yes. A free sample. A low quality vial in the inconvenient shape, the light is a bit dimmed hinting at a bit lower quality product, but one good enough to make one wish for more if they take it and the way it is sealed and the amount inside makes it clear it was not removed ever since the moment it was filled for the first time." Andrealphus examined quite thoroughly the vial "A free sample given to her by someone desperate for Royal clientele and I may even know WHO gave it to her."

"Who?" Stolas said as his clenched his fist and some bits of his magic seeped through his fingers. He will kill him… No. He will make him wish he would be dead. For at least next hundred years.

"It does not matter. He wont be selling anything anymore." For the first time Stolas heard this amount of aggravation in Andrealphus's voice. The tone of it made him shiver and the entire room felt more cold as well. Stolas could tell well. Whatever punishment he can come up with wont come close to what Andrealphus's mind already created.

Stolas took carefully the vial into his hand. Octavia was considering taking drugs. How? Why? Those were the questions plaguing his mind, but he already knew the answers to those. It was his fault. His and… hers. Then Stolas heard a coarse laugh.

"That is hilarious." Andrealphus said and Stolas looked at him with look of pure anger

"What?" Stolas said as he got closer to his brother in law who stood up and looked him in the eyes

"You acting so surprised. So… disturbed by this." Andrealphus said as he took back the vial from his hand "Are you really the right person to judge her? Wouldn't be surprising if she was picking it up from you."

*GRAB*

Stolas grabbed Andrealphus by the throat when he heard those words. That was enough.

"Say anything else and I-"

"What? You will kill me? Don't make me laugh." Andrealphus looked with pity at him "You know it about as well as me. You could never kill me."

"I am about to try." Stolas said as his grip tightened and his magic surrounded Andrealphus's neck, but the shining peacock did not seem even mildly intimidated. Only amused.

*Step*Step*Step*Step*Step*

Suddenly a sound of footsteps could be heard in the distance beyond the doors of this room.

"Hmm. Light footsteps, but not light enough to be hooves of an imp. A slight irregularity in the walk cycle suggest slightly uncomfortable feeling of worn boots and the way the sound increases suggests this very room being the target of approaching person." Andreaphus started to analyze again "Want to say hi to her? Or will you leave that to me?"

Stolas without thinking quickly let go of Andrealphus's neck and grabbed everything they pulled out of the chest and frantically started to put them back in, even the newfound drugs if only to avoid suspicion while Andrealphus just looked with amusement at his struggle. Finally Stolas closed the chest once everything was relatively in place and then proceeded to grab Andrealphus by his hand and pulled them both into the nearby locker and closed the doors behind them. Just as he closed the doors he heard the doors of the room itself open and someone walked in while humming some kind of a melody. It was Octavia's voice.

"Hehehe. Sorry to disappoint, but once you are out of the closet you are not going back in." Andrealphus whispered to him while Stolas wanted to punch him in the beak, but the inside of this closet made it very hard to move at all "Or maybe you wish to explore the kinds of clothes she wears. At this point it woul- "

"Shut up already!" Stolas quietly snapped back at him and for a moment it seemed to work, but the tight space they were stuck in made doing anything rather hard, but then something came to Stolas's mind "Wait a minute. You can turn into a puddle right?"

"Definitely you wont turn me into one." Andrealphus made an annoying jest again "But yes. You are correct."

"..." Stolas waited for him to do something "Are you going to do that?"

"Hmm…. Mmm? Mmm... No." Andrealphus finished with a proud smile on his beak. How much Stolas wished to tear it off from his head "Besides. Can't you do the same? Or at least use some of that amazing magical talent of yours to get out of here?"

"Oh." Stolas realized he was right, he was about to think of a good spell to get out of-

*knock*knock*knock*

"Is someone there?" Octavia then started knocking at the closet they were hiding inside. Stolas stood still as if he was a stone statue now and made sure not to make a single sound.

"I am here sweetheart!" While Andrealphus did the exact opposite

"Uncle Andy?" Octavia answered

"WHAT-ARE-YO-"

"The very same!" Andrealphus said while ignoring Stolas completely "Your father is here as well."

That was it. Stolas was about to grab him and choke the life out of this living Glitter.

"What are you doing in there?" Octavia asked them and Stolas tried his hardest to stop him from talking

"Ah. The secret has been revealed at last." Stolas grabbed him by the neck, but it was covered in thick layer of ice that froze his hands to it "You see all this time he did not had an affair with any lowly imp. It was me all along." Stolas was about to break this ice with his bare hands and pull his eyes out "In fact his deranged mind came up with this idea of doing it in your very room! I am so sorry my dear niece for not being stronger..."

"SHUT THE FUCK UP ALREADY YOU DAMN-"

*creak*

Octavia slowly opened the closet and saw Stolas holding Andrealphus by his neck while Andrealphus had the most pleased smile on his beak.

"Octavia. In the name of all that is unholy I swear to you-"

"Dad."

"-I would never in my life do anything this abominable-"

"Dad!

"-sgusting, immoral, piece of angelic excrement-"

"DAD!" Octavia's scream made Stolas stop his tirade

"It's okay. I do not believe a single word Uncle Andy says." Octavia said and mere mention of that nickname she had for him made Andrealphus's eye twitch a little

"Whaaaat? *crack*" Andrealphus with one swift move got out of Stolas's grip by moving his neck through Stolas's hands which was accompanied by sound of cracking ice all the while Stolas was left with pieces of ice in his hand that he quickly broke away from. Andrealphus slowly got out of the closet and walked towards Octavia "Now what caused you to have so little trust in me my dear Octi? Have I ever lied to you?"

"Yes. On several occasions uncle." Octavia said respectfully, but also with a hint of sarcasm "Like when you told me my dad was in a hospital with his legs and wings broken and eyes gouged out."

"Oh. Now in my defense it was not meant to be a lie. Which reminds me. I need to fire someone already." Octavia and Stolas just gave him a very puzzled look "Hehe. Don't worry. It's just a joke sweetheart."

"That… did not sound like a joke." Stolas agreed and got out of the closet finally

"And I must object. It was most certainly a joke." Andrealphus said that as if that statement holds any weight "And trust me my sweet niece. You will know well when I am serious."

This statement put Stolas on guard, but thankfully Andrealphus made no suspicious move towards Octavia.

"Oookay?" Octavia looked uncomfortable right now "And why are you both in my room?"

"Octavia. My sweet owlette." Stolas started and knelt before her "I will be honest. I tried to find what you were working on and help you. As I promised. I know we've been… distant to each other for the passed few days, but I still wish to help you."

"And help you definitely need dear Octavia." Andrealphus added while Octavia looked down away from them

"You saw..."

"Yes, but I will help you my shining star." Stolas tried to reach out to her

"Well if your skill in suit making is anything to go by I have a feeling you will be more of a detriment to her more so than anything else."Andrealphus mocked him once more "Speaking of suits." Andrealphus then reached for something in his suit and pulled out two wrapped scrolls. Stolas would prefer not to think where he had them all this time. "I am here to ask you Octavia." And then he opened both and presented them to her "Which dress would you prefer on your birthday."

Stolas honestly did not expect that. It was true that her 18th birthday was not too far off either. The drawings on each scroll were meticulously made. On one there was a very large, regal dress very similar to one Stella has, but was far more decorated. It was on color of purple with tinges of red and gold all around it with a white collar, there were also many shining spots on it which probably signified gemstones. It was a very expensive and regal looking dress. One most fitting for a noble.

The other one in comparison was much smaller, but seemed more comfortable to walk in. Unlike the other one this one had two distinct pieces. One was a delicate looking purple robe with some gold fur sewn into it and the second piece was a red dress beneath it adorned with shining rubies. It was a less extravagant dress, but there was no less dignified and most definitely offered more freedom of movement and it was the one that Octavia was looking at the most out of these two.

"I say… this one uncle." Octavia pointed at the smaller dress "I prefer being able to move."

"Hohoho. Most excellent. You know I've been also thinking on adding maybe some freshly taken off fur of some lowly denizen into it. To make it truly stand out. Use one of those worthless beings and give them a higher pur-" Andrealphus stopped his tirade when he looked at Octavia who wanted him to stop "Oh. We can discuss this at a later date my sweet."

"It better not have any nasty surprise within it Andy." Stolas said with spite

But to his surprise for a moment there was no answer, but then he felt the room become more cold and his feathers slowly hardened as small icicles started to form on their edges. Then the peacock looked in his direction and it felt like the entirety of the cosmos just turned to look him in the eye.

"I would prefer to hear no insinuation of me trying to hurt my niece." Andrealphus's voice carried weight Stolas would never be able to bear, but then the Shining Goetia looked at Octavia and in a moment the coldness disappeared as warmth once again filled the room "That was me being serious. I hope it is easy to understand the difference Octi."

"Y-yes, it is." Octavia slowly nodded as she heard that. She was scared and Stolas could not tell if Andrealphus even noticed it. "Can I go now?"

"Of course! No one is keeping you here my dear!" Andrealphus said happily "Where are you going?"

"I came here for my guitar. Me, Moxxie and my mom are going to try to play something. A training of sorts." Stolas was confused when he heard that, that did not sound like Stella at all. What was she planning?

"Oh that is very sweet." Andrealphus said and Stolas had no clue if he was sarcastic or not. Did he knew something? "I wish you all the luck."

Octavia nodded and moved towards her bed and picked up the guitar. Stolas wanted to keep her for a little longer in here to ask about those… other things he found, but it was not the time. Not with Andrealphus here. As Octavia moved passed Stolas she gave him a passing glance. Oddly enough it looked like she wanted to say something as well, but kept herself from speaking up.

"Octavia." Stolas spoke up to her before she could leave "Is something wrong? Do you want to… say something?"

Stolas did not know what it was, but he felt it must have been important, but something deep inside him felt like he just made a terrible mistake.

"I-w-well..." Octavia did not say anything and did not even look at them "I really need to- shit."

"We are here to listen my Dear." Andrealphus said in reassuring tone, as reassuring as his tone could be "Whatever you say we will not speak of it to anyone."

"Stop it!" Stolas genuinely had enough, this was all one big mistake "If she doesn't want to then-"

"Who was the first?" The moment her words reached Stolas the entire world once again felt frozen, but this time Andrealphus was not the cause. In fact for a moment his smile dropped as well

"What did you say?" Stolas's heart started to race as he looked upon his daughter. For a moment he felt deep dread as he watched her.

"The one… before me." Octavia said and Stolas was ready to run away from there "Who was it?"

"Before..." Stolas knew what she meant and soon enough his fear was replaced with rage "Who told you? Who told you about this?! WAS IT YOU!?" Stolas turned to Andrealphus who did not even humor his question with any answer. No. He was not the one. Then it must have been… "Your mother?! What in all the rings she was thinking- WHERE IS SHE NOW!?"

"No! Dad! She did not tell me." Octavia tried to reach out to him, but Stolas was just about to leave the room to look for her

"Now, now." Andrealphus then put his hand on Stolas's shoulder "As funny as it is to see you agitated like this, I think you should calm down." This was no suggestion. This was a command. One Stolas would not listen to.

"She dares to speak about it to her! I wont-"

"SHE DID NOT TELL ME!" Octavia screamed and once again it brought Stolas back to reality as he looked at her he saw fear. This time he was the result of it.

"Then how-"

"I eavesdropped when she talked about it to Moxxie. She never told me." Octavia said with shame in her voice

"What?" Stolas was confused when he heard this

"Now why would this imp be so curious about such information?" Andrealphus also seemed curious, but in a more threatening way "And why would she speak of it?"

"She… You don't know?" Octavia asked both of them and both Stolas and Andrealphus looked at each other in puzzlement "Mom had a breakdown at the theatre. Few days ago." Octavia whispered the last part

"Stella?" Stolas found it hard to believed

"She had a what?" As for Andrealphus for the first time in his life he heard genuine worry in his voice "A br- Wh-when. You mean then as in- Wa- I...Why wasn't I told?!" Andrealphus seemed at loss for words and then looked at Stolas "You! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"I didn't know either!" Stolas defended himself

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DIDN'T KNOW!?" Andrealphus blew up at him "I know that play. It always finishes at very late hour. You HAD to be there. And if you were not then..." Something then seemed to click in his head "Where were you?"

"I-" Stolas quickly bit his tongue before saying anything. In that moment he could tell that any answer would mean Andrealphus would genuinely try to hurt him. He saw it in the peacock's eyes. In the way his feathers started to shine. In the cold in the air once again trying to suffocate him.

"You..." In Andrealphus's hand slowly started to grow a very long and hard looking icicle "I will-"

*STEP*

"STOP!" Octavia stood in front of Stolas with her arms stretched out, protecting him from wrath of Stella's brother "Please."

It seemed to have worked. Slowly the weapon melted in Anderalphus's hand and the atmosphere became more bearable, but the pure hate in Andrealphus's eyes did not melt away. Not even slightly.

"We will speak of it later." Andrealphus raised his eyes towards Stolas "Right?"

Stolas nodded, unsure of what that… conversation will entail.

"Uncle please do not hurt him over it." Octavia pleaded with him "Please... I-"

"No need to worry." Andrealphus put his hand on her head and gave her a bright smile "I wont. I promise you that Octavia."

She seemed to be more at ease after this, but the atmosphere in this room changed beyond imagination.

"Maybe you should go." Stolas proposed "We can speak of… everything later."

"I agree." Andrealphus nodded

Octavia for a moment looked between both of them and slowly backed away from the room with the guitar clenched tightly in her hands. She run away as if he was a monster right now. Stolas felt hurt as he watched her go away. Then he looked at the damn peacock who was the reason behind all of this. Just standing there, looking at the place where she was as if this walking candlestick cared about her even half as much as he did.

"What are you waiting for?" Stolas tried to get his attention "Will you not continue now that she is gone?"

"Hmph. You would like it huh?" Andrealphus said with a voice filled with venom "No. I will wait with our conversation. I wont let you go off so easy and early brother."

Stolas just looked away from him and walked towards the doors. He wished to leave this place. Andrealphus followed him outside, probably wanting to torment him with his presence just a little bit longer. As they walked into the corridor Stolas started to go somewhere else.

"Where are you going?" Andrealphus kept following him

"I wand to go into some useless room and break everything inside it. From furniture to walls themselves." Stolas said as he kept walking

"You are in luck, there are literally hundreds of those in this beautiful abomination of a home." Andreaphus said as he looked around "But destroying it's walls would be quite a waste. I find them one of the few… endearing parts about it." Andrealphus looked at his reflection and winked at it, oddly enough though the wrong eye winked back, but neither of them paid any heed to it and Andrealphus caught up with him "But I am pretty curious about this change in you. Never before have you been so defiant. Not since that day at least." Andrealphus said, reminding Stolas of that shameful day "Is that possibly tied to where you were when you should have been here?"

Stolas hearing those words stopped his advance and looked back at Andrealphus. He wanted him gone more so than anything else. He wanted him to leave him alone at last. He wanted him nowhere close to him. Not Blitzy.

"Perhaps." Stolas answered him "But that is none of your business."

"You left your wife, my sister alone and did not even bother to learn what happened to her." Andrealphus's voice was full of pure resentment "That is my business. This is about my family."

"Your family can burn for all I care." Stolas said without any fear or hesitation. He hated all of them and he had felt no reason to conceal it anymore "This palace can burn for all I care. Everything you all stand for! Everything this place stands for! I wish for it all to be burned to the ground!"

"I do not appreciate the comment about my family, but I share your feeling about this dreadful abode." Andrealphus did not seem to care all that much, or at least that's how it appeared and then he smiled again "Want me to build you a new one? I have quite a talent at designing interiors. Geometry of it all is quite enthralling."

"I think I prefer even this castle over whatever you would create." Stolas was honest

"You wound me!" Andrealphus made a very dramatic gesture with barely concealed smile

"Why wont you leave me alone already?!" Stolas asked and Andrealphus simply walked up to him

"Because that's what you want." Andrealphus's answer was as predictable as it was infuriating "Why would I ever give you what you want?" Andrealphus said as he shined as bright as a star in the night sky, but then his smile became a bit smaller and he looked with pitiful look at Stolas who started to feel his leg become numb

"Are you really doing this now?" Stolas asked him

"Excuse me?" Andrealphus played dumb

"Release my leg." Stolas had no time for anymore games "Or I will kick you with my second one."

"Are you having a mental breakdown as well right now?" Andrealphus asked him and Stolas decided to humor him and look down and saw… his leg was sinking into the floor and so was Andrealphus's.

"What the-" Stolas tried to get his leg out, but it proved very difficult "What are you doing now?!"

"I have no clue what you- What happened with my legs?" Andrealphus said as he tried also to get his legs out, but failed "I guess your castle is really starting to fall apart." Andrealphus commented and then in the next moment a hammer made of ice appeared in his hand "Well then. Let's help it shall we?"

He was about swing it down, but then…

*GHAAA*

The floor opened beneath them.

"AAAAAAAA"

And both of them fell into the hole, leaving only few of their feathers flying in the air.

*BITE*

And the hole extended itself and swallowed those as well.

*BEEELCH*

Moxxie and Stella were waiting for Octavia quite a bit in the music room. Moxxie did hope nothing happened to her on the way. He wondered if she saw her dad on the way. Moxxie's head was filled with all kinds of thoughts now as the room that is supposed to be full of beautiful melodies was as quiet as the void. He was sitting next to the piano while Lady Stella was sitting on the nearby couch with the violin in her hands. She looked nervous. Like she was about to go to a war. It must have been very stressful for her.

"Are you okay My Lady?" Moxxie asked and Lady Stella simply gave him a nod without saying anything. He should try to make a conversation and he had one on his mind. "I… met that new servant of yours on the way here. She had strange thorns in her hair. Last time I saw her she did not have those." Moxxie said with a hint of worry "What are those things? I saw them on other servants in different places, but I do not know what they are."

"They are a special breed of Thorns from Sloth. It's called Crescenthorn Pertinax." Stella said and looked at Moxxie "They are tools used for protection of valuable property belonging to Ars Goetia. A relatively new invention."

"How does it work?" Moxxie asked not exactly liking where this was going

"A seed is placed on the head of the servant fit for it's use and it burrows itself into their skull. It starts to grow on it's own and wrap itself around the head of the servant who in time will be able to control their growth and movement." Stella explained

"Does it… hurt the servant?" Moxxie asked

"Yes, but as they grow and fuse themselves with the brain of the servant they become like one being. It is also assurance of loyalty. This imp that was brought to me has all the qualifications of a good thorn servant. A simple minded individual is best fit for one as the most important part in using them is instinct and unnecessary thoughts may hinder it's movement and efficiency. And given it's beyond simple state of mind I doubt there will be need for reassurance of her loyalty" Stella spoke very coldly, it was clear she had very little regard for Sophie's life and pain she would go through with those thorns. Then again she did not look like she was in much pain at all, but it may just begin later on.

"With all due respect My Lady, but this sounds like a horrible practice." Moxxie was honest with her. He did not like it in any shape or form.

"I acknowledge your opinion, but it wont change my stance on this. Such a valuable asset is worth temporal discomfort of one servant." Stella said and honestly, Moxxie had no way of truly judging her here. He did not agree with this, but compared to what she could have been suffering through… But he could have spared her any kind of pain if he had any say on this matter, but now it was too late. Maybe he should change the subject.

"So… why a violin?" Moxxie was curious about her choice of instrument "Were you taught how to play on it?"

"No. It just felt right." Stella said as she looked nervously at the instrument in her hands

"Well, maybe you should start with an instrument you know how to play on at least." Moxxie said, but silence was his only answer "Oh. *cough* well I'm sure we can work with it. I could teach you if you wish My Lady. Even if I do not have much experience with-"

"It would be welcome Bard." Stella said and it made Moxxie happier. Maybe that way he could learn about Lady Stella as well and who knows… maybe she has untapped talent for it.

*knock*knock*knock*

"Hello. Are you there mom? Moxxie?" Octavia spoke from the other sideways

"We are here young lady!" Moxxie spoke loud enough for her to hear

Octavia entered the room with the guitar in her hand. It was an electric guitar in colors of black with tinges of pink and yellow stars all around it's body. The shape of it's body looked like bonfire. It seemed like it was used quite a bit given it's worn down look and it's strings still being covered by some small feathers.

"Are you… going to be able to use it here?" Moxxie wondered because he did not saw any speaker around the room

"Oh of course." Octavia then pulled out one small part from the guitar's neck that did not seem to serve any function and put it on the ground as Moxxie looked closer at it he noticed that it was a speaker, just a very small one. "I learned my lesson from last time." Octavia said and looked at her mom

"I hope this time there wont be any incidents." Stella said as she looked at the nearby window

Moxxie saw Octavia tuning the guitar. It looked like she tried to minimize it's sound in some capacity while trying to have it remain strong enough. As a whole Octavia looked like she did not know what she was doing.

"May I?" Moxxie reached out with his hand and Octavia carefully gave him the guitar. Moxxie looked it over and had to say it was very well built and despite it's used state it was still obvious it was kept with care. Moxxie started to tune in it's strings and at some point decided to try out how it sound.

*RRR*

And from the small speaker came out a very loud noise almost giving him a heart attack. Octavia also seemed to panic.

"Please be careful." Octavia said as she was inches from taking the guitar back

"Okay. I will." Moxxie said and Octavia seemed reassured a bit and calmed down. Moxxie once again looked at the guitar and then back at it's owner "What kind of melody you wish to play?"

"I-I don't know honestly. I want to play what I feel, but what I feel is a scream." Octavia said as she seemed to be bothered by something "And I do not want to scream… especially with what happened the last time."

"Well… maybe we can do something." Moxxie said as he started to tune the guitar again to make it's strings a bit softer "Maybe instead of screaming what you feel try just saying it?"

"Saying?" Octavia did not understand well

"Maybe by playing a softer melody. Instead of screaming what you feel try saying it. Imagine that what you will play will be like talking to us." Moxxie said and showed with his hand both him and Lady Stella "Try to speak to us instead of screaming. Let yourself be understood. Think of it like you are letting us understand you." Octavia looked without little confidence at her guitar "Listen. I know it probably feels like you have an entire mountain on your back, but try to imagine this as taking parts of it off of you and throwing them away, before you know the mountain will be gone." Moxxie said and sat besides Stella who did not seem to mind this gesture "With us you don't have to scream because we will listen no matter how loud you are."

"I… I will try." Octavia said and picked up the guitar and tried out playing on some of the strings

"Want me to help you?" Moxxie asked

"I just need to get used to every sound." Octavia tried out the guitar, attuned some of the strings to be harder, some other ones to be softer and tried again to play some melodies. There was a hint of a melody as she was practicing in front of them and soon enough she seemed to get it and nodded.

As Octavia looked at the guitar in her hands, the strings beneath her claws and the sounds they made all she could think of was her family. What happened between them in the last few days, how she felt about everything happening around her, from her parents fighting, all of those new people she met. Those new experiences. Some terrifying, some other pleasant.

She thought about her dad and how much he means to her. How distant she kept herself from him due to recent events and all the blame she felt inside for it, but also this strange need to keep it going. She thought about her mom and what she got to know about her. The time she got to spend with her unlike anything they ever could before. And then about Moxxie. This new Imp willing to help them seemingly without the need for any reward. The hope someone like him gave her. She then thought back to all the promises made to her. Promise Moxxie made about helping her mother smile. A promise her dad made about helping her. So many promises. She wish any one of them could come true. She wished for everything to be at peace again.

And without thinking a melody started to play from the small speaker. A melancholic melody full of wishful thinking. A melody embodying loneliness and fear. A melody of hope and knowing that this hope may be false. So much said in a single melody of this girl. Both Moxxie and Stella listened intently to her playing. It was beautiful, but also made them at least slightly more aware of what Octavia was feeling. It was a soft melody speaking of desire for something better, but also acknowledging it may never come. In that moment they could see Octavia for who she was. A scared child grasping unto any semblance of hope for something better.

Soon enough the melody became more quiet as Octavia's melody went from very peaceful to being faster and more desperate to peaceful again and finally silence.

*clap*clap*clap*clap*clap*clap*

Moxxie clapped after she finished her melody and Stella joined him as well. It was a beautiful melody worth every bit of praise, but it made Moxxie also very concerned about the way it sounded. It reassured him in his feeling that most of all what he is doing is not just for Lady Stella's sake, but also Octavia's. If not more so. She deserves better than this.

Moxxie then saw Stella get up from the sofa and approached Octavia. Moxxie was worried about what she was about to do so he got closer to them as well. For a moment she simply looked down on Octavia who seemed unwilling to raise her head. Stella looked like she was in a trance, but in the next moment she slowly lowered herself on one knee to face Octavia then she reached out to her with her hand and placed it gently on her shoulder.

"That was a beautiful performance Octavia." Stella complimented her and Octavia finally looked at her and a weak smile appeared on her beak. Moxxie sighed in relief as he saw that, but Lady Stella herself looked… troubled. Like something was still weighing heavily on her. Octavia looked like she wanted to say something, but before she could Lady Stella's expression hardened once again and she looked at Moxxie "I believe it is your turn bard."

"Oh, I… Of course." Moxxie said and bowed his head. He approached the piano in the room while Octavia and Stella sat down on the sofa. Both of them looked at him and Moxxie felt stressed about performing again. He was still trying to figure out a proper melody for Lady Stella, but decided for now to trust his instinct. After everything that happened in those last few days, what is going on between him and Millie, Stolas, Octavia… Stella.

It was like being in the middle of a storm that dragged him from one place to another and he had no control over it so he decided to imagine this storm calm down for just a moment. Imagine the waters calm down, the peaceful waves on the water hitting the coast of a golden beach. Peace and beauty. All that he desired.

First few notes of Moxxie's melody were like waves gently hitting the coast of a beach and then it turned into a melody that moved like calm waves in the middle of an open sea with moon and stars shining on it's surface. It was a melody of peace. A nostalgic melody filled with beauty and dream of something better than what could ever be found in this realm or any other.

Octavia heard the melody and was enthralled with it's peaceful tone. It was a melody that brought her joy. It was everything she ever wanted. Everything she hoped for. A light of hope that she wished to see for so long. But as she looked at her mother she was simply looking at the imp playing on the piano. Mesmerized. As if she was now somewhere else. The look on her beak, the light in her eyes, it was unlike anything she saw from her. Octavia for a moment was worried that this could mean another episode, but after a minute of the song playing nothing happened. Her mother just looked… at peace.

Then the melody stopped without being finished and Moxxie looked at them with slight embarrassment. He did not know what to feel about the way both of them were staring at him and scratched his horns.

"W-was it… good enough?" Moxxie asked them

"Are you kidding me?" Octavia asked him with shock "You are great at this!"

"I… agree." Stella said as she woke up from her trance. For a while now Lady Stella seemed to be spacing out for some reason. Maybe Moxxie should ask her later about this. "You are a good performer and I do hope the quality of your song will match or even surpass what I heard thus far."

"I-it will My Lady!" Moxxie felt invigorated when he heard that, he will try his very hardest "Now it's your turn I believe Lady Stella."

Stella also realized this and looked at the violin laying next to her. She carefully picked it up. Her grasp on it was pretty awkward and clearly did not really know how to hold it properly.

"Umm. Here my lady." Moxxie approached her and held her hand, helping her grasp the violin better and help her place it in a good position. The feathers on her hands were as soft as most gentle silk or snow, but what surprised Moxxie the most was that she allowed him to guide her. Finally Moxxie was satisfied with the way she held the violin, but lady Stella still seemed very nervous about this. "Now… Try to play something. Just move the bow across the strings and your fingers on the strings at the end of the hand."

Moxxie probably should teach her scale first, but maybe she could grasp in some capacity through simple practice of sounds. Nothing really prepared for what came next.

*mmKHHHIIMMMppiiiiiMM*

The sound that came from Stella's instrument was ungodly sound of terrible cacophony that made Moxxie feel like his brain was about to melt in his school. Octavia who was even closer to her seemed to far even worse. Thankfully just a few seconds after starting Lady Stella stopped.

"..." Lady Stella said nothing, but the deep red blush under her feathers said a lot more than any word. She slowly put the violin back on the sofa like it was about to screetch on it's own.

"I-i-it's nothing my Lady. Oww..." Moxxie's head was about to explode and there was distinctive ringing in his head "N-nothing some practice and thorough lessons can't-"

*BREAK*

Before Moxxie could finish the window of the music room and even crystal walls of the room all broke at once. This could be described as nothing short of a disaster. But what made Moxxie all the more saddened was the look on Stella's beak as she looked around the room. For a moment she looked like a child that wanted to crawl into a dark corner and never get out of it. It reminded him of Octavia.

"It really is nothing My Lady." Moxxie tried to reassure her. "I will help you learn. I promise."

"I..." Lady Stella got up from the sofa and moved towards the broken window

Octavia in the meantime moved closer to Moxxie and whispered to him.

"That was horrible." Octavia was very honest with him

"It was." Moxxie had to admit that

"Do you think mom can learn to play?" Octavia asked

"Of course. Everyone starts somewhere." Moxxie said as he looked around the room "Although I don't remember my first time being this bad."

"Yeah, it's odd. Walls did not break like that when I played loudly. Only the window broke" Octavia had a point, this was not natural in any way

"Right. It was also weirdly delayed." Moxxie said as he did not remember even seeing any cracks in either the wall or the window "Wait here."

Moxxie moved around the room now, examining it's broken walls. Something was off about them. They did not look like the sound of the violin cracked them. Or at least it could not be the main culprit. Moxxie moved his hand across the walls and then noticed something odd. One wall looked very out of shape. There was some kind of bulb on it. It almost looked like a… human face in the middle of one crack. It looked like it was in deep pain with it's mouth and eyes tightly shut. Moxxie did not remember there even being anything like it before. Moxxie carefully touched it and as he did so suddenly it's eyes opened and then it's mouth.

AAAAAAAAAAAA

It let out a horrendous shriek that made Moxxie jump away from that spot and made Octavia and Stella look in his direction as well.

"WHAT IS GOING ON BARD!?" Stella quickly got out of her brooding

"The wall is… alive!" Moxxie had no clue what was going on right now

*crack*

Moxxie then heard a quiet crack and looked where Stella stood. He saw that just out of her sight on her left side something started to come out of the floor. It was about to launch at Lady Stella.

"LOOK OUT!" Moxxie was about to run up to her

"MOM! WATCH OUT!" Octavia at the same time reached out with her hand towards her and blue light appeared in her right hand and 2 circles with strange symbol similar to that of a Goetia sigil appeared in front of the crystal spear that launched from the floor at Lady Stella and it went into it and came out through the other sigil.

*CRASH*

And the spear crashed into the ceiling above.

AAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH

The head screamed again, but this time it was like the entire room was screaming at them. Moxxie looked around, trying to see what was going on and saw many new spears appear all around them and the next thing he knew was being dragged away by someone. Lady Stella grabbed both of him and Octavia with great speed and rushed towards the doors.

*CRASH*

She crashed through them with her body and as put Moxxie and Octavia on the ground.

"WHAT IS GOING ON!?" Octavia was panicking right now

"I don't know Octavia. Stay with me." Stella said as she got closer to her daughter and was shielding her

As Moxxie looked around he saw the walls shift all around them and on one wall he saw his reflection. It waved at him with a sadistic smile on it's face. The entire walls looked like they were pulsing in a rhythm that looked like a heartbeat. Then it hit Moxxie. This was not just a building.

This palace… was alive and sentient.

To be continued

---

Finally done. Wished to do it sooner, but life likes to kick me again and again and this time the thing that it decided to kick me with hurts. But life is life and I try to get through it. But the main point here is that I have a new idea. You see I am looking for a job and overall I want to make some money for my family. Some new events made our life ... not better and I decided to try something. If any of you are interested I may do commissions. Do not know how far this will reach. If at all. If you are not interested I get you. I am not paying type either honestly a lot of the time. But I am thinking on doing paid commissions (and I know my release schedule may already raise some red flags, but I can tell that under obligation I can work fast or rather relatively productively at least).

For now I'm thinking on 15$ per 1000 words. I heard this is a good way to do it. Of course I wont start yet (if I start at all I'm still considering), but if any of you are interested contact me on twitter under /SoulfulAzrael . Made this account recently due to some competition and now this could be a new use for it. If you are not interested then I understand. If you are you can message me there.

As for the chapter. I really liked making it. Hope all of you find it refreshing after a lot of lore dumps and weird locations with unfamiliar characters. I do really enjoy making this fic and I hope next release will be sooner and life will finally... relent in some capacity. Hope you all enjoyed this and again, if that thing above is something you could be interested in then message me. If not... Well, it's how it is.

Also the two songs that Moxxie and Octavia played were those. Octavia played Promise from Silent Hill 2 (of course not as perfectly, but this was on my mind there) and Moxxie played Once Upon a Memory (Piano version) from To the Moon. Both songs I think fit those characters very well.