🪻《Truths and lies》🪻

🥀 Amadeus'/Claude's arrival at Marvius' Woods, Present time

A/N: I will use "Amadeus" for Claude from this point on.

An older woman stood by the window as she read the letter from Marvius over and over again; The boy is not to be trusted, tell Clodette.

Magna crumpled the letter and breathed deeply, the puzzles were being connected. Marvius' words still ringing in her mind the day of the party in the Smith's mansion.

"Lord Marcus will never attack Clodette, they had formed a truce a hundred years ago. The dagger that Anastasia gave Clodette must be a counterfeit!"

Magna once again looked at the letter and her eyes stopped at the words "moon-eyed child" and "golden hues". Everyone in the warlock council must've been taken aback by this revelation, only the bloodline of a dominion chosen by the seraphim could have golden eyes. Sara, one of the witches of Gomorrah must be mistaken! The only surviving moon-eyed child they know of was "Claude".

The Dominion bloodline was a very rare direct line of Wicca, the first witch and of an Archangel, the stories about them had been passed down for many generations. Magna furrowed her brows to recall any memory she had about the Dominions.

She remembered reading about them in the archives of her grandfather-in-law but the only records they held about them were scarce. Tobias was the name that pop up on Magna's mind!

That's right! Magna recalled, "Tobias was the name of the chieftain of the moon-eyed village, a century ago!" He had two sons, I believe.

Claude—Claudius!?

Magna remembered Marvius' words; Claudius was the warlock that created the rune symbols. "Claudius? wait, didn't Claudius had a brother?" Magna knitted her brows in deep concentration.

But he disappeared after the siege and never seen again, Lord Lucius was obsessed in finding him.

"Is Claude a descendant from Claudius' brother?" Magna looked at the picture hanging by the window, all proud warlocks of the council and her father was one of them.

Not only Marvius' family but my family is also a loyal dog to Lucius, Magna murmured.

She tried to recall any glimpse of memory she had of her conversation with her grandfather-in-law about the nephilim. It was Lucius' great siege as they call it but she couldn't recall anything else, no matter Lord Lucius was in hibernation, he'll be safe in the catacombs.

How funny, Magna thought, how a single line in the letter could change your view of someone.

Evangeline's death was not an accident, the attack in Romania was planned. Was the attack at the Smith's party planned too? if it was —how deeply did "Claude" thought of everything.

Was it really Claude? Magna thought, she couldn't wrap her mind around of a young boy not older than twenty would devise a plan such as this.

There must be someone guiding him, someone who holds great animosity towards Clodette's family, she thought.

Amadeus dismounted his horse and strode toward Marvius' mansion. He breathed deeply, savoring the cold spring air, there was an unexplainable eerie scent in the wind and Amadeus could smell something was brewing, he smiled wickedly before knocking on the wooden door.

A loud knock startled Magna, she opened the door  with haste and didn't bother to ask who was it, upon opening it, she came face to face with Amadeus!

"Claude." Magna murmured.

He examined her stunned expression and raised an eyebrow but kept his usual smile. Judging from Magna's unkempt appearance, she was doing something in haste.

Magna was stunned momentarily but regained her composure. Amadeus stood calmly at the doorway, waiting to be invited inside. He gave Magna a sweet smile, but Magna knew what that smile held, she forced herself to return it.

"Hello, Magna." Amadeus smiled, sweetly. His sharp eyes gaze upon her and Magna could feel her body recoil! Amadeus' azure eyes were now replaced by golden hues, a mesmerizing color. Magna's eyes widened and blinked several times, Was it golden? She blinked again, those golden eyes stared at her with an eyebrow raised.

So Sara was telling the truth, Magna murmured to herself. Marvius was in the warlock coven, it would take him a second to arrive if he used his teleportation rune magic, however the boy in front of Magna shouldn't be taken lightly.

Magna's upper lip twitched as she heard him say her name, the young lad tilted his head waiting for her response. Magna, who just remembered the letter from
Clodette, quickly responded;

"Oh dear! What a scatterbrained I am! Clodette did send a letter of you coming to visit! come in!" She held the door wide to let Amadeus in.

The messenger arrive just after Marvius left, Magna had no choice but to accept the letter since it was from Clodette. During the funeral, Marvius had some doubts about "Claude" and to confirm them he needed to meet with the high priests of Sodom.

The fates of Savannah might be already at Clodette's doorstep, revealing everything. Then, I must buy some time for them, Magna thought.

Magna carried on as her usual self but she couldn't deny the fact that she was seeing "Claude" differently now.

"I guess Marvius is at his office?" Amadeus inquired as he strode inside while examining the whole house.

"Ah, y-yes!" she muttered. Magna fidgeted uncomfortably, this young lad was no ordinary nephilim or moon-eyed child. He was something else, Magna could feel Amadeus' aura releasing from his body. If he was trying to intimidate her then it was working!

"You sound nervous Magna, what's wrong? Did something happened?" Amadeus asked Magna. He could see her sweat build up on her face and streamed down her chin, such a nervous wreck! He thought.

Magna was no witch but she had the ability to detect people's aura and the aura emitting from Amadeus wasn't the bright light aura she felt before, this time it felt darker and more sinister!

She felt like walking in a quicksand. Her legs seemed unable to move, the feeling of a wet sand pulling her legs down! Her whole body shook as though she was in front of a formidable predator!

Magna hurriedly diverted her gaze away and wiped her sweat with the back of her hand. "I am f-fine, just a-a little s-startled that's all!".

"What made you startled if I may ask?" Amadeus walked closer.

Magna couldn't speak, her throat tightened as though being strangled. She wrapped her hands on her neck, trying to free herself from an invisible grip, she dug her nails onto her skin and began to claw it!

Magna, without realizing it felt Amadeus moved closer!He whispered softly. "Marvius isn't here, you are lying to me."

She quickly pushed him away but Amadeus didn't budge instead Magna stumbled down on the floor! She couldn't breathe nor move. Magna looked up at Amadeus, who was staring down at her with his usual sweet smile.

She gasped for air, she tried to conjure an enchantment that Marvius taught her, but her magic ability was scarce that she couldn't muster even a single thread of rune symbol! She feebly flipped on her stomach and tried to crawl away!

Amadeus bent over and caught her by the hair and pulled it back! "Argh!" Magna let out a scream! Amadeus pulled her hair even harder as he spoke;

"You should've been careful, Magna." His eyes were once so full of life now replaced by golden sinister hues. "Your expression gave you away," he added.

"This will be quick!" Amadeus raised his hands and materialized a silver dagger, the gems on the hilt gleamed as he thrust it toward Magna!

Magna could see how brilliantly it shone, as the dagger approached her, it felt like time has stopped. Her beating heart was so loud, almost leaping from her body! Her body trembled as she welcomed the incoming blade, it was an unexplainable fear that she'd never experienced before. Her breathed rugged as she welcomed it!

In the midst of it all, Magna's thoughts drifted to Marvius. He will be rob of his wife and her son of his mother! If she dies; Will Marvius avenge her? The answer would be yes. Due to revenge, Marvius will lose his life as well and will leave their son parentless! She knew the gap between Amadeus' and Marvius' powers, it was like comparing an ant to an elephant!

She couldn't let that happen! Magna forced herself to get free from Amadeus' enchantment, even just one finger! Just move! move! She screamed inwardly, her fingers tried to respond but it felt like being pinned down by a stronger force!

Please! Please! move! move! Don't let me die here! Everyone had their own time, but this was not hers! Magna knew she needed to survive this!

But how—? Magna couldn't think of anything else but her family's faces, their sad and happy moments, the times she and Marvius fought about something she couldn't even remember and the moment her son was born! A tiny baby, wrinkled and screaming as she held him against her bosom.

My baby, she thought. My baby will have to live without me!

A single tear streamed down her face when the dagger suddenly halted mid-air and Amadeus quickly retracted it! Magna's eyes flew open to see a golden gleaming arrow swiftly shot across the room! It aimed at Amadeus, who blocked it with his dagger and incinerated it with his blue flames.

"Get away from her!" Marvius furiously spoke!

He hurriedly released his wife from the enchantment, Magna grasped for air as she held onto Marvius weakly. "Are you okay, sweetheart?" Marvius asked, concerned.

"I-I am okay." Magna spoke as she gently caressed her neck. "I thought it would be my funeral this time!"

"Don't joke!" Marvius said, sternly.

They both turned to Amadeus. "What a surprise!" Marvius glared at the young lad, angrily. "You finally revealed your true colors!"

Amadeus titled his head. "I was simply greeting you." He playfully tossed the dagger in the air and it disappeared with his blue flames.

"We don't need a rude greeting, boy!" Marvius steadied Magna, who was panting nervously. "I will not let you off with your devilish ways in my house!"

Amadeus arched an eyebrow, "devilish? me?"

"Evangeline's daughters were right, you are but a foul soul!" Marvius stepped forward, "you are but feign pretending to be innocent but I can sense your bloodlust, boy!" he added.

Marvius took out a letter and threw it on Amadeus' feet. "Sara, a witch of Gomorrah confessed in front of the warlock council." Marvius continued, "it is a grave sin to attack a priestess of Sodom and a high priestess at that! Annabeth is a high priestess of Sodom and she held great influence over the witches of Europe and America! You bewitched Sara and her sisters to attack Clodette and the Smith sisters!"

"Sara was held accountable for the crime she didn't commit!" Magna added, angrily.

Amadeus picked up the letter and examined it, a tiny blue flame immediately burned the letter to ashes.

"What of it?" Amadeus eyed Marvius, "Clodette wasn't harmed. Annabeth and Anastasia were fine."

"If it weren't for Annabeth's powers, they could have been!" Magna retorted. Amadeus remained silent with a wicked smile plastered on his face, though all the accusations were for naught.

"You sent a witch to silence Annabeth and in the process hurting Clodette," Marvius knitted his brows. "Do you even love Clodette?"

Amadeus didn't utter a word, though it was true that he sent the Gomorrah witches to Romania but it was all to create a strife between Clodette and Marcus. He altered the witches' memories and once Clodette sank her fangs on one of them she will gain a false information!

An information that he device to separate Clodette from Marcus, but it was never his intention to bring harm to Clodette! Once he had Clodette, it was easy for him to get information of Lucius' location. Not even the moirais could tell where that bastard was!

Those stupid bitches! Amadeus thought of ripping their bodies to shreds but Annabeth already did that!

"I will take your silence as an affirmation." Magna added.

"They were unharmed that's most important." Amadeus muttered.

"But it doesn't take away the fact that you sent them!" Marvius spat out angrily, "Was it also you who sent those vampires along with Julius to poison Clodette?"

Amadeus raised his eyebrows, "no."

Magna calmed herself and slowly held Marvius by the arm. "If it wasn't you then who?"

"I also want to know." Amadeus replied, calmly.

"Why do you want to create a strife between Marcus and Clodette?" Marvius knitted his brows, "if Clodette was just your bait —"

Amadeus cut Marvius out. "Though Marcus can be arrogant, he still values his sister does he not?"

"If Clodette knows of this facade, she will surely be heartbroken. Y-you used her!" Magna yelled.

"She will be kept in the dark, not until I reveal everything myself." Amadeus looked at the older couple, "No one can tell her."

Marvius strode angrily, he was ready to punch the young lad's smug face but Magna held him
back! "Is this why you are here!?"

"To silence us?" Magna added. "—and to think Clodette did everything just to find a cure for you."

"I wasn't in any danger when I used my powers, it was all for show." Amadeus raised his hand and a tiny flame appeared, "and it worked."

"—for Clodette to fully trust you," Magna gasped, sadly. "How can you play games with the woman you love?"

Amadeus smiled. "I just need her."

Marvius pulled Magna back gently, "Need her for what exactly?"

"I thought you know everything." Amadeus smirked. The blue flames immediately dispersed, revealing a golden book!

"The book of golden roses!" Magna gasped.

Was it in Clodette's library? Marvius once experimented on that book because it held great magic but no writings. Magna thought deeply.

"Anastasia gave that to Clodette before, why do you have that?" Marvius spat out.

"Who did you think gave it to Anastasia?"

The older couple was stunned. What did he just say? Marvius confusion was evident on his face. His wife's hand gripped harder on his arm, "Anastasia got it from you?"

"I need someone who will be close to Clodette, and she was desperate for power. Do you know that humans are greedier than any demon." Amadeus replied.

"S-so, in Romania, in Smith's mansion, all these accidents. Anastasia knew of it?" Magna wanted to confirm.

Amadeus shrugged, "she was useful."

Magna clasped her hands on her mouth, as Marvius held her in his arms. "Ho-how could she?"

Marvius looked at Amadeus sharply, "what exactly do you want?"

"Destruction." Amadeus uttered one word, the word that he most wanted in the world. Destruction of House Ambrogia!

"You will destroy a whole coven for your revenge? You weren't even born then! It happened a century ago!"

"Coven? Family?" Amadeus tilted his head, "I once had a family too," he added. "But they were taken from me! Lucius took them from me and I am here to collect debts!" Amadeus spoke, furiously.

"What?" Marvius was more confused. He thought deeply, the only thing he could think of was the moon-eyed tribe that his grandfather and Lucius destroyed.

Moon-eyed tribe of a Seraphim. He immediately looked at Amadeus, pitifully. So he was here to avenge his family, a family that he never knew? Was he a descendant from Claudius' brother or of Claudius himself?

Magna whispered, "You are one of descendant of the moon-eyed tribe that was destroyed a century ago. Are you a descendant of Claudius?"

Upon hearing his wife's words Marvius immediately remembered the tale he told Clodette once, "This is revenge for your tribe's massacre?"

"Since when?" Magna asked. She looked at Amadeus, a boy not older than twenty, the moon-eyed happened a century ago. Magna was sure he wasn't born then so why? Why get revenge now? "Why now?"

"I have to gather my strength to destroy that family, it wasn't easy I have to use a time reversal spell." Amadeus replied.

Marvius quickly pulled Magna behind him, "Time reversal spell? That means—" He isn't a descendant of Claudius but he's Claudius?

Marvius' grandfather told him once of a powerful warlock named Claudius. He was the one who taught the warlocks and witches to use rune crystals, and that's how the rune symbols were created.

"I couldn't adjust to my new body but this one is but a vassal, all I needed to be awaken is by the blood of the person I cursed." The very first person Amadeus cursed upon receiving the sigil of Kokabiel.

Amadeus raised his hand and the golden book immediately released several black butterflies, "—but enough of this! Marvius, you talk as if you are loyal to Clodette when you, yourself has a secret yet to be revealed!"

"Wh-what secret?" Magna turned to Marvius.

Marvius didn't give Magna a glance, he remained silent. He immediately waved his hand, creating a circle of fire to prevent the butterflies to get near them however the butterflies flew right past it! He quickly created another barrier!

The golden barrier gleamed as the butterflies flocked around it, desperately trying to enter! Marvius immediately muttered another enchantment, a purple-like shield appeared and enveloped the golden barrier.

What kind of motherfucking creature doesn't get frightened of fire? Marvius thought.

Then Magna spoke nervously, "black lotus butterflies!"

Black lotus butterflies have long been extinct! Marvius looked at the boy in front of him, he was indeed a powerful being! To think, he could witness such magic in his lifetime.

Black lotus butterflies were dangerous pets to raise, the owners tend to share their blood with the butterflies in order to tame them but since they were too dangerous, the previous head of the warlock coven instigated their extinction.

The only thing that could kill these creatures was the fire sodom but these weren't ordinary  black lotus butterflies! If they were, they would have been devoured by the flames already but they flew past it!

Looking at Amadeus, he saw a shadow casted upon the boy, not of any ordinary being, a holy one. The shadow revealed his shadowy wings and it enveloped around Amadeus. How could a holy being watch over his feign? And it struck him! Amadeus was not an ordinary moon-eyed child, Marvius might be facing the exalted one, the seraphim.

Knowing that he was facing something formidable, he knew he didn't stand a chance! Marvius quickly chanted  for a transportation spell! If these fucking butterflies get a hold of them, they're dead!

Black lotus butterflies were beautiful but deadly, they didn't drink nectar but blood, their mesmerizing purple and black wings emitted hallucinating dust that will remove all their prey's senses and it'll be easy for them to devour their prey!

Marvius couldn't let his beloved wife die here, she needed to be safe. He finished the chanting and pushed Magna into the black hole. "Darling, go and inform the council!"

Magna nodded. "Come back to me alive!"

"I always do." Marvius smiled. Though it might be difficult this time. The transportation spell disappeared along with Magna!

"Aren't you afraid? The whole council will soon know of your reincarnation Claudius!" Marvius glared at him. "Ever since I was a child, I admired all the stories about you!"

"Claudius was indeed the perfect warlock." Amadeus eyed the rune crystal hanging on Marvius' waist. "He created those runes you used today, he was a genius."

Why is he talking about himself in third person? This lunatic! Maybe being a loner for a century made him crazy! Marvius thought.

"What can a bunch of warlock and witches do to a nephilim?" Amadeus shrugged.

"They can do more than what you think! Do not underestimate them!"

Marvius quickly took out his rune crystal and traced the symbol on his arm, the symbol quickly flew in their air and gleamed brightly. He swiftly knotted a star symbol, a Polluxium star! The symbol formed a twin star symbol mixed with red and golden hues, it rotated opposite each other, "Strike thy enemy!" Marvius exclaimed as he clasped his hands together.

The twin stars rotated rapidly, its sharp edges turned to razor blades! The blades ignited with fiery flames that cut the butterflies into tiny pieces!

"Impressive!" Amadeus praised Marvius' magic.

It quickly moved toward Amadeus, who stood unmoving! The twin stars moved in a speed of light, Marvius smiled triumphantly! No matter how strong Claudius was, it had been a hundred years!

He is rusty! Marvius smirked.

Then a bright fiery red glow came to Marvius' sight, a gleaming red sword hastily split the twin stars into half and incinerated it!

"I-Is that Machaira?" Marvius spoke, confused. How could he wield that sword?

"You cannot defeat me alone Marvius, you should hurry." Amadeus spoke.

"W-What?"

"Those lovely red haired witches have beautiful eyes for the moirai's collection!"

Marvius swiftly uttered an enchantment and several golden chains quickly tied Amadeus' whole body! "This is child's play, Marvius."

Marvius hastily created a pentagram. Several golden arrows rapidly toward Amadeus, "this won't kill me!"

"But it will surely slow you down!"

The arrows shot multiple times without stopping, as Marvius planned his escape! He quickly created a transportation spell and passed through it. Amadeus' shadows protected him from the arrows and easily destroyed the golden chains! But Marvius was nowhere to be seen!

"Should I catch the warlock?" Thanatos' voice resound in Amadeus' mind.

"No need, I let him go for a reason." Amadeus replied. "Did you do your task well?"

"Why, indeed my lord!" Thanatos' grinned. "The Gomorrah witch is waiting for your judgement."

"Well done." Amadeus praised the creature.

"There will be plenty of chances to rid of that thorn!" Stephanos beamed, as she tried to catch Amadeus' attention.

"Why did you let him see machaira?" Prryhos spoke.

"To send him a message that he was not facing an ordinary nephilim," Amadeus smirked. "The show is quickly getting to the climax!"

What would Clodette's expression would be if he was to be reveal himself? The thought delighted Amadeus even more, being able to finally reveal his identity and putting an end to this facade and his true revenge will start!

Magna stepped out the transportation whirlpool that Marvius created, her eyes widened in shock!

The warlock council room was in disarray, several chairs and tables scattered in pieces and blood splattered on the floor, the guards were laying on the floor, motionless.

She hurriedly walk inside, and looked for anyone alive. When she heard a gasping voice, "he-help!" Magna turned to the voice and found a middle aged woman, "Cassandra!" Magna exclaimed.

Cassandra Ward was one of the powerful witches of their generation, her aura was so immense that they voted for her as the head of warlock council but looking her disoriented state, the enemy must be ten-folds more powerful than her.

"Ma-Magna!" Cassandra exclaimed, "Where is Marvius?"

"His hands are tied at the moment," Magna held her head on her lap. "What happened here?" she added.

"Death!" Cassandra spat out. "It was death!"

Magna knitted her brows as she concentrated on Cassandra's words. "The fourth horseman of apocalypse, I never know they really existed, I thought they were myths to-to scare us when we were children."

Magna spoke carefully, "Did he do this?"

Cassandra nodded, "I never seen such power!" she swallowed hard, "Whoever is our enemy, he is more powerful, te-tell Marvius, the crescent moon is-is safe."

Crescent moon? "What are you ta-talking about?" Magna asked but Cassandra had already fainted due to exhaustation.

There are too many secrets to be revealed, Magna couldn't be more confused now. Why has Claude changed? How did that happened? Why was Anastasia in his side? And who attacked the coven?

Magna hurriedly ran out of the council room and searched for Annabeth, If all weavers attended I am sure Annabeth had as well!

She needed Annabeth, if Anastasia was indeed by Claude's side, Annabeth should know!

Magna quickly picked up her pace but her tracks halted, a massive red barrier welcomed her! It was a barrier to protect the caster, Annabeth was lying in the middle. Her blood-stained body, feebly trying to sit up. Magna hurriedly approached the barrier, Annabeth turned immediately, alarmed by the sudden movement! When she saw Magna, Annabeth face relaxed.

Annabeth waved her hand and the barrier disappeared. "What happened here?" Magna asked as she helped Annabeth to sit up.

"Apocalypse." Annabeth uttered, "Death came upon us." She shook her head as if in disbelief.

"These creatures will never attack unless ordered so." Annabeth breathed.

"It must be Claude." Magna spoke.

Annabeth looked at her incredulously, "What? C-Claude?"

"Claude came to our house and attacked us." Magna poured a herbal powder on Annabeth's wounds. "I am guessing he ordered his minions to attack here, but I never knew he is the master of apocalypse." Tears began to stream down her face.

"Where is Marvius?" Annabeth asked, carefully.

"He might be-be," Magna choked back her tears. "He is facing Claude as we speak!"

Annabeth groaned in pain as the herbal powder made contact on her wounds, "Agh! We-we must hurry, if Claude is-is the master of apocalypse, I need to protect Clodette and my sister!"

"Annabeth."

"What?"

"About Anastasia —"

"What is it?"

Your sister is a traitor. How can I break this young girl's heart? If she knew about what her sister had done, what will she do? but she needs to know!

"Anastasia will be alright." Magna managed to lie.

"I know, she is one tough cookie!" Annabeth laughed.

🪻《Author's Note 》🪻

Hi lovely People! 🥀

A/N: I will use "Amadeus" for Claude from this point on.

🪸Glossary:

Crescent Coven: House Ambrogia's vampire coven. It was founded by Clodette's ancestor, Ambrogio.

🍂 Questions:

Do you think Claude/Amadeus still have lingering feelings for Clodette?

What do you think will happen that secrets are revealed one by one?

I would love to read your comments, so please leave a comment and vote!

Thank you! Julia 🪻