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((*Dramatic reverb* A NEW CHALLENGER APPROACHES ))

Estrella looked to her left, there was no one around. The dark hallway seemed to extend for ages. There was no sound. Something wasn't right, there was a presence, instinct told her there was someone, or something near. She quickly turned to the right and was confronted by two pale purple glowing eyes. a panther stood at the end of the hallway, it's ears pointed, a low growl reverberating. The sound bounced off the walls, making them vibrate, No, it was her eyes. They were blurring in and out of focus. A sudden pain to her head. Then silence...

The panther stared, she stared back, unable to move her gaze. She knew something was behind her, but she couldn't move. The panther drew closer. Hermes stood behind her, he was saying something, but it was an odd, distorted whisper. She tried hard to focus, then, suddenly blaring, a horrible, pain-ridden voice echoed through the halls. Hermes' eye's turned a deep red.

"The Earth cries in pain, It hurts! IT HURTS!"
He eyes began to bleed a ink-black blood, which dripped down his chin, more and more. She could feel a puddle surrounding her feet. The panther drew nearer. she had to run, she had to get out, but she couldn't, her body forced to stare.
"The Moon and the Sun shall fight - ILLUMINATE THE DARKNESS. THE SKY SHALL BLEED IN PRAISE!"
The wretching of twisted metal could be heard, he was right behind her. The metal twisted on his face, a gapping mouth revealed itself. Jagged teeth dripping with saliva, she could feel his breath on her neck. The panther was drawing nearer.
"THE CHOSEN VESSEL WITH ASCEND THE MONUMENT, THE SUCCESSOR WILL DRAW NEAR. THE SUCCESSOR WILL DRAW NEAR!!!! THE SUCCESSOR WILL DRAW NEAR!!"
She couldn't take the pain, the pounding of her ears. She wanted to scream. She suddenly closed her eyes, put her hands to her ears. The sound was gone.

She opened her eyes, the panther was at her feet, staring at her. She stumbled backwards and hit warm clothes. She spun around. All was normal once again, and Hermes stood with some warm pajamas in his hands.
"Miss.....Miss? Are you alright?...You room is this way." He said in a somber tone.

"Gospel...move along.."
The panther raised its head, staring at Hermes, and gave off a noticable puff of air from its nostils, got up again, turned, and silently left the two, heading back down the hallway.
"I'm very sorry Miss, she comes and she goes as she wishes... Master Hector requests that I keep it so. She is not a threat." he said rather flatly, he then turned away from her, and slowly began walking down the hall, opposite of Gospel.
"Follow me, please..." There was only silence, and the occasional millisecond tremor, until they reached her room.
"Master Hector also requested that I note your decision. You may head to bed now, if you wish... or you may join him downstairs, in case you desire to talk and have a proper dinner. If you choose the later, There are spare clothes befitting a female, on the bed. Otherwise.."
The extended his arms slightly, giving her the chance to take the nightgown.

"Right this way..."
He stated, walking into view and down the hallway. He didn't say a word as they headed back down the stairs, turned a corner, went the opposite direction of the study, and into an antique dining room. An antler chandelier hung in the center, tall windows made up most of the opposite wall, where Hector sat. he didn't seem to notice Estrella's entrance, he was smiling, petting something near him. Hermes, tapped his heel and made a metalic "tink" sound. Hector raised his head and raised his eyesbrows. he imediately stood up and opened his arms,
"you look lovely, please please, have a seat. I feel obligated to give you a proper meal." Just then, a mound of black fur rose and crested the horizon of the large wooden table that made up most of the stuffy, antique room. The pather sat up and stared at Estrella, it's cold eyes unwavering.
"Ah, this is gospel, don't worry, she doesn't bite." he said, smiling.

"Oh?" Hectore said, smiling and patting the panther's head.
"It's strange, this habitat obviously isn't known for panther's; and yet, during my first week here, there she was, laying on the front porch. Initially I reacted in fear, but she turned out to be quite friendly." Hermes had left now, and the two were left in silence - all aside from the steady ticking of what could only be from a clock somewhere. The panther never dropped its gaze from Estrella. Hector cleared his throat,
"Yes, about you being there... aheh, you'll have to forgive me, when I first saw you, I'd thought you were a ghost from the ruins...or my imagination." another pause...
"I know it's not my place to inquire about the reason you were there. So I won't push it. Though I want you to know that I will listen. I'm not your enemy." He said sternly, looking at her directly.

Hermes came through a side door with two steaming bowls. He placed one in front of Hector and Estrella. "Farfalle with chicken and roasted garlic..." Hermes said.
"Hermes, thank you for doing this on such short notice." Hector said, bowing his head to him.
Hermes bowed in turn, "The pleasure is mine...." He turned, and left.
"Heh, you know I would've starved long ago if it weren't for him... well, It, I should say. It's just a simple household robot, but to me it's one of the few aspects of my family that I can actually stand to be around." He chuckled. The panther's gaze never left Estrella.

Hector chuckled and extended a hand,
"Please, go on or it'll get cold. Standing on ceremony can get so tiring.." He then picked up his fork and mixed the pasta and chicken together.
"I love mysteries, Estrella. Especially ones that result in an abundance of wealth. Speaking frankly, I'm a treasure hunter." His glimmered. He smiled and took a bite, letting her savour the silence. He though he was so dramatic.
"This place in particular has become famous amongst my circle of competition. People have tried to gather what lies within those ruins, and have never returned. Villagers say it's cursed, filled with ghosts." He took another bite and waited.
"So, I set up shop!" he lifted his hands and motioned to the mansion around them, smirking.

Hector's eye's widened, and after a bit of a delay reaction he laughed as well. Hermes almost sighed, but dutifully picked up the plate and left the room.
"So you've come here to get away from society eh? Understandable enough." The panther suddenly left Hector's side, and seemed inclined to inspect something elsewhere. She quickly and silently passed Estrella and headed somewhere unseen. The distraction was enough for Hector to reveal a pistol and aimed it at Estrella's heart. He smiled, but his face was firm.
"I'm also sure you understand.... who are you working for? The Nelson Brothers? No... Ms. Morris seems to fit this bill... seduction is always her game. No doubt she hired a pretty face to snoop around."

Hector's eyes narrowed.
"Yeah we're old drinkin' buddies." He said sarcastically. He pushed his chair away from the table and stood up, never wavering.
"I've let you get comfortable, and you took the chance to get some information. You did everything correct, too bad I was expecting it. No hard feelings, but I'm going to have to ask you to get your things and leave".