Power and poison (Victoria POV)

Victoria shivers as she enters the darkened, cavernous chamber. She despised coming in here, and needing to do so again so soon after the last time made her nervous. Still, she was the only person able and willing to communicate with the Great One in his confinement. Niran could not afford any more corruption, he was barely held together as it was. And as for Kaeli, she would simply refuse, and they needed her to much to force her.

Something massive moved in the darkness, and the clanking of heavy chains accompanied the stentorian breath of the Great One. She could see only a vague outline of his form in the darkness. Humanoid, yes, but grown to outlandish proportions, and even in the darkness there was something subtly wrong about him. Victoria hated him. His presence alone corrupted everything, and by now, both she and Niran depended upon his powers to survive.

And yet, they needed him. More than survival, he was what gave the Order power. Even confined in here, he could project that power a great distance, and empower others to an incredible degree. Without him, the Order would crumble quickly.

But he was insane. Dangerous. And they were forced to bow to his whims. Without his blessings, Victoria and Niran would die of the corruption he had inflicted, and Kaeli would be freed of her compulsions. And so they did as the Great One decrees, no matter how distasteful.

A rumbling chuckle rises from the darkness. “So, you return sooner than expected. I presume it’s not in success?”

Victoria shivers at the rumbling threat in that voice. “No, my lord. We cannot find the rebels who attacked. A change storm has hidden their path from us.”

There’s a wet growl, and more clanking as the Great One moves closer. “I will not accept failure, Victoria. Dispatch the dreadnaught to search the area.”

Victoria nods. “Yes my lord. What are your orders, should we find them?”

Snatches of insane laughter echo around the chamber. “What do you think? Kill them all.”

The massive form moves closer, and Victoria can hear the chains go taut. The Great One grunts in frustration, and she can feel his fetid breath wash over her. “Do not come to me in failure again. I will be most displeased.”

Victoria gulps as she looks at the looming, disfigured form shrouded in darkness. She can feel the bile rise in her throat, and she hurriedly nods, backing away towards the door.

“It will be done, my lord. You have my word.”

There’s a snarl as the figure shuffled back into the deeper darkness. “Very well. Go.”

Victoria bows, struggling for control, and backs out the door. She can hear the Great One muttering nonsense to himself as she leaves, his words like spiders in her mind. Finally, she exits, and closes the door with relief. She leans against the wall, trying to regain her composure. After a time, she straightens, and strides off to carry out his orders.