Chapter 16 Adding the Sixth Known Fact
600 Words
Elena stomped down the stairs, her anger bubbling just under a calm facade. As she got closer to the hallway, the Bloodbloom at the Gothic window turned its "head," with its bunch of eyes popping open.
"Hey there, my lovely princess! How can I help you today?"
Elena shot it an annoyed look but stopped for a moment.
"It really can't see you, right?"
"Of course not. Doubting me isn't smart, venomous princess," sneered the Fear Lord.
[Bloodbloom's SAN -1]
"Um... Sorry for being forward, Your Highness, but... who are you talking to?"
"Myself," Elena said with a sweet smile that felt anything but friendly.
[Bloodbloom's SAN -0.1]
"Your smile is... kind of scary, Princess."
"I have a question," Elena said. "If I gave you some meat, would you do something for me?"
The Bloodbloom's eyes whirled around wildly.
"Absolutely! Anything within my power! But honestly? My thing is gobbling up flesh and—between us—your meat looks especially—"
"Got it." Elena pivoted on her heel.
"Wait! Princess! Your eyeballs would also—"
"It has no manners," remarked the Fear Lord.
"It's just a potted plant; it's impressive enough that it talks at all."
"I could make it quiet forever. A little favor?"
"If you try to pull another 'favor' out of me like that again, I'll stuff garlic up your nose."
"What a pity; vampire castles don't keep garlic around."
"No wonder everything here tastes so bland."
Elena paused in front of the third portrait.
[Portrait: The Cunning Goblin]
She knew it was just the Delusional Mirror pretending to be something else—but had it been honest last time? She needed some proof.
Fixing her hair, she stared at her reflection in the glass-covered painting.
Silence.
She tilted her head.
Still nothing.
Why isn't it reacting?
She smoothed down her gown and forced a smile. "What a lovely mirror."
No response.
Elena's crimson eyes narrowed in frustration. What on earth?!
I've figured you out! How dare you ignore me?!
"Hey! Stop pretending! I know you're a mirror!" She slapped the frame hard.
The portrait stayed completely still.
"You're disgusting, but impressively clever," the Fear Lord said with amusement. "How did a weak, repulsive human like you figure out its true nature?"
Elena shot him a look that could sterilize an entire battlefield. No wonder he's forever single.
"I need lipstick," she muttered as she turned back to retrace her steps.
Last time, putting on makeup had triggered the mirror's reaction—was that what she needed to do again?
Or—
Her gaze darted back to the Fear Lord.
Is it hiding because of him?
"Why are you staring?" he asked casually.
"Just admiring your dashing looks." Her grin dripped with sarcasm.
Damn him! This is exactly why I never wanted him around.
________________________________________
The Delusional Mirror refused to show itself.
"Why won't it reveal itself?"
"It's simple—it doesn't want to," replied the Fear Lord nonchalantly.
"Why not?"
"Why should it? It's Chaotic Neutral; those things act on impulse—no logic or rules involved, just pure madness."
Elena felt herself getting more frustrated by the second.
"Aren't you insane too?"
"Hah! Those crazies flip between good and evil whenever they feel like it! Me? I'm consistently awful!" He puffed up his chest proudly, "Evil is my thing."
So you're proud of being such a one-trick pony?
Elena nodded mentally jotting down another confirmed fact:
6. The Fear Lord is worse than insane—he's predictably deranged and totally unpredictable when he's supposed to be scary—proceed with extreme caution!
- Writer
