"I saw four wondrous things travelling together;
Their tracks were swarthy,
Their footsteps were very black.
It was swift on its journey,
Bolder than the birds; it flew across the air,
Dove under the water. Busy was the struggling warrior,
Who showed all four of them the way over plated gold."

• The Exeter Book

"Let's try that again."

Sky Wreath's screams split his throat as the hooded figure pulled the lever further, the gruesome sound of muscle and cartilage ripping and splintering filling the room, dying down to give way to wracked sobs and rasps of breath.

"Tell me how you met those girls."

"I... I..." Sky Wreath's eyes widened as he saw his tormentor reach for the lever once again. "No, wait! They came to my church seeking help and I took them in! I swear, that's all that happened!"

The hooded figure didn't budge.

"And how did you come to learn of their powers?"

"They... they cast a spell on me. On my village. Forced me out of my home. Made us... bring them tribute. Food, drink and clothes."

"How did they cast this spell?"

"Sing - singing. They sang a song, and... it was..." He swallowed. "It was as if I could - couldn't resist their orders."

"Singing alone? No wands, no grimoires or staves?" The torturer's voice sounded incredulous. "They've given us no trouble since then. I think you're lying."

"No! I swear, I'm telling the truth!" Sky Wreath shrieked, eyes watering as he saw the figure reach out yet again. "I - they were always together when they sang. Always. One of them told me they wanted to live forever. And - they wore - amulets!"

The sudden enthusiasm in his voice gave the torturer pause.

"Go on."

"Yes, amulets!" The relief in his voice at having recalled such a potentially crucial piece of information was obvious. "They wore matching amulets. Bright red gems, identical! Never took them off, not once!"

"You believe this is relevant to their powers?"

"I - I am certain! I have never believed anything more!" Sky Wreath sounded hysterical. "Go and search them now! I assure you, each of them will be wearing an amulet just like I described!"

"Hmm. Well, I will make sure your information is passed on." Snatching a short, blunt axe from the table in front of him, he swung the brutish implement through the air.

Sky Wreath's scream was cut short as the axe severed one of the ropes binding him hand-and-foot to the rack. Three successive blows later, the priest was trembling on the floor in a searing mass of anguish.

"Stay here. Someone will be around soon to return you to your cell. You will be taken in front of a court as soon as possible and judgement passed on you for fraternization with witches. Given your confession here, I doubt it will be a long trial." He spat on the floor. "I'll be there personally to give your testimony."

With a throaty chuckle, he left the room and slammed the door behind him, hearing the thick metal lock click shut with a chime of grim satisfaction.

"My Lord."

Little Rock kneeled before Sombra's throne, earning an approving smile.

"Please, rise. A man as accomplished as you should feel no need to kneel."

Grinning from ear to ear, Little Rock rose to his feet. Sombra studied his vassal with interest before he continued.

"When I ordered you to recover the others, I hadn't expected such quick results. Perhaps it was fate - or perhaps luck. No matter. You have done well, and I assure you, such talent will not go unrecognized."

"Thank you, my liege. The three of them are in the dungeon as we speak. If you'd like, I could have them delivered to you right now."

"My inquisitors are currently attending to some of my concerns with the priest who first bought them to our attention." Something evil glinted in his eyes as he spoke, and his tongue ran over his thin lips. "As soon as I have the information I need, I will have them bought to me to see what they are truly capable of."

As if on cue, three thunderous strikes landed against the doorway to the hall. Sombra's smile only widened as he raised a hand in acknowledgement.

"Let him in."

The guards parted the doors to reveal a thick-set, ragged-looking man with dulled, sullen eyes. The corners of his mouth remained steadfastly downturned as he approached the crystal throne and gave a short, irritable bow.

"Finished so soon?" Sombra almost sounded amused.

"He wasn't too tough to crack." The man grunted. "Nor did he know much of substance. But..." He paused theatrically, causing Sombra to lean in closer.

"Yes?"

"I believe he has, if only by accident, managed to identify the source of their supposed powers." He held up three short, stubby fingers. "Each of them possesses an amulet from which they refuse to be parted. Some kind of witch's charm, no doubt."

"Is that so?" Sombra reclined in his chair, strumming his fingers against its armrest. "How certain are you of this?"

"Almost sure, my Lord."

"Did you discover anything else?"

"Not much. He mentioned something about eternal life, and that they were always together when - "

"Eternal life?" Instantly, Sombra was back on the edge of his seat, eyes glittering. "Are you certain?"

"I... I am only regurgitating what that wretch howled as I tormented him, but I have no reason to believe he would lie." The man seemed somewhat taken aback by Sombra's sudden surge in interest. "But yes, the three of them have - or at least, claimed to have - the secret to eternal life."

"A foul pact with the devil, I assume." Little Rock growled. "I regret not killing them the moment I saw them."

"Do you?" Sombra's voice, ice-cold and incredulous, caused Little Rock's neck to stiffen. "You would have rather bloodied your blade than delivered them to my inspection?"

"My - my Lord, I meant no offence - "

"And yet, you have caused it."

Little Rock fell to one knee immediately, drops of sweat now beginning to form on his forehead.

"I apologize unreservedly, my liege. I beg for your forgiveness - "

"Enough." Sombra snarled. "Get up."

Little Rock rose with a slight tremble in his legs as Sombra sank back into his seat, satisfied. Once again, he turned his attention to the brute in front of him. "But that they needed to be together to cast their spell, we knew. Thank you. You have served me well. I will see to it your payment is triple the normal fee. You may leave."

"Thank you, my Lord."

As the torturer left, Sombra turned to his vassal, who had regained most of his composure and was now staring up at him with wide eyes desperate to prove their loyalty.

"Go and confiscate their medallions. Bring them to me, so that I might inspect them. As soon as you're done with that, I want them delivered to me - but not here. Send them to my study. I intend to give them the opportunity to demonstrate their power to me personally before I decide what to do with them."

"Is... is that... wise? Not - not that I would ever question your wisdom, my liege, but these girls possess power far beyond that of - "

"Little Rock, you have been unusually belligerent recently." The words were gentle and pleasant, yet they cast an immediate cloud over the conversation. Sombra fiddled with his ring as he chose his next words. "For such a good commander, it is undoubtedly one of your more unbecoming qualities. And your temperament, well, that just speaks for itself. Just yesterday, I heard you gave an innocent boy at the market a hard time over absolutely nothing."

"I... I will admit, I have sometimes... allowed my judgement to be clouded. But I really think - "

"I have no interest in what you think. It clearly is not one of your strong suits. In future, I recommend you keep your judgement limited to the fields in which you are actually competent. Rest assured, were you to be found guilty of high treason and executed, few would mourn your loss."

Baring his teeth in a gruesome smile at the shocked look on his vassal's face, he allowed himself a deep, throaty chuckle before continuing.

"Fear not. Serve me well, and power and prestige are your assured future. A man as young and as talented as you can go far in my court. You are unmarried, I understand? When all of this is said and done, you may choose one of these girls as your bride."

"Th - thank you, my liege."

Little Rock couldn't imagine a worse fate than being married to a woman more likely to greet him with a knife between his ribs than a warm embrace, but that didn't matter. What mattered now was keeping Sombra's favour lest he, too, be thrown in a dungeon to rot.

"I... I will go and retrieve them now, my Lord." He stooped into a deep bow. "I will return as soon as possible."

"Yes." Sombra sighed and nodded his head in acknowledgement. "I think that might be for the best."

Little Rock departed with his head bent low, feeling the eyes of Sombra on his neck with every step he took. As soon as he had left the royal chamber, his head rose and his eyes burned with zeal.

The first girl was easy enough.

Sonata was looking haggard and tired, the three demons of dehydration, sleep-deprivation and starvation severely weakening her and confiscating what little will she had to fight back. As the guards approached under the watchful eye of Little Rock, she initially made no attempt to resist, but as soon as a hand closed around her amulet, she was immediately filled with energy and began to thrash and roar with rage against her bindings. Her reaction told Little Rock all he needed to know.

Sensing his men's hesitation in dealing with the girl properly, he strode forwards and struck her across the face, seizing her lapse in focus to grasp the amulet and pull. Yet no matter how hard he tugged, the seemingly thin black lace would not break against Sonata's neck, and his men were forced to step in to hold her down once more as it was slowly laced over her head.

Dangling the amulet before his eyes, he pulled at the lace once again. No matter how hard he tugged, the amulet wouldn't give.

"What is this?" He snarled, tucking the amulet into his pocket. "Have you enchanted this? Cursed it? You and your conspirators really are witches, aren't you?"

Sonata cursed in response and threw herself helplessly against her chains, earning a contemptuous tut from Little Rock.

"Well, we have your source of power now, witch. If I were you, I'd think very carefully about your next moves."

With a click of his fingers, the guards were once more by his side, slamming the thick cell door behind them. As she heard their footsteps slowly fade away, Sonata grimaced as the last, lingering effects of magic departed her form.

Though nothing seemed to change, she could immediately feel an unwelcome spell settle on her, biting into her skin, every muscle, every bone, every cell of her being. Age. Mortality. Death. The engine of time, frozen in place since she had fed on her first victim all those centuries ago, slowly coughed and spluttered to a start, and her breath caught in her throat as she felt her new body start to die.

The second girl was less easy.

As the cell door slowly swung open, Little Rock felt his blood pressure spike as he stared at the empty cell. Striding forth, he span around on the spot, desperate to catch a glimpse of purple skin or hair.

A roar from above told him he had been tricked all too late, as the girl he'd been searching leapt from the few jutting-out bricks she had clung to and came crashing down on him, raining down blow after blow with a scream of hatred. In seconds, she was wrenched off him and pinned to the wall, allowing Little Rock to rise to his boots, mostly unharmed, but with his pride bloodied and battered.

With difficulty, he resisted the powerful urge to beat Aria unconscious, settling instead for a few extra jabs between the ribs as her necklace was removed. Once again, despite the lace's thin, delicate make, it was unbreakable - at least by human strength alone.

"I should have guessed you'd be a trouble-starter. Tell me, what's so special about these?" Dangling the pendulum in front of Aria, he knelt down as he began to speak. "This will all go much easier for the three of you if you play along."

"Give it back!"

"I'll take that as a no. I should have expected as much." Rising to full height, he and his entourage swept from the room, leaving behind Aria and a strange, new, unpleasant sensation she couldn't quite place.

The third girl, strangely enough, had been expecting them.

The amulet was resting in her grip when they stormed in, and she made no effort to prevent the necklace from being confiscated. Identical to the other two, Little Rock was, this time, completely unsurprised to see it would not yield.

"You look like you're in better spirits, witch." Tightening his grip around the amulet, Little Rock stared down dispassionately at the Siren, who didn't so much as raise her head. "Perhaps you'd be more willing to talk to me."

No response. Little Rock bit his tongue in frustration before continuing.

"Tell me, where did you and the others come from? I mean, where did you really come from?"

Adagio's head raised slightly, and she studied the man in front of her with something close to curiosity.

"We're from another land."

"I... I can see that." Little Rock observed patiently. "The blue-haired one told me you were from... Equestria. But there are no records of this name in our libraries."

"Well, I wouldn't expect there to be, since we come from another dimension."

Little Rock allowed a low, humourless laugh to slip past his lips.

"More games, is it?"

"Why would I lie? What would I have to gain?" Adagio spread her hands. "I've been honest with you. I've shown you no ill will. It is you who have kidnapped me and my sisters, locked us away against our will, and stolen from us. When I say we came here through a portal, I say it because it's the truth."

Her sisters, eh? The hairs on Little Rock's neck stood up as he recalled the other one - the youngest, presumably - saying something almost identical back in the throne room. The two of them had had no opportunity to speak since then. Did that mean...?

"If you are from another dimension, why don't you tell me how you found yourself here?"

Was he really planning on entertaining this wild fantasy? Then again, he himself had seen these girls capable of capturing men's minds with song - was what they proposed all the more outrageous?

"We were banished by a wizard. A powerful one. Trust me, it wasn't by choice."

"And you are unable to return?" He turned the amulet over in his fingers. "How unfortunate. Well, this has been... illuminating. I'm sure you'll make a good impression on King Sombra. You seem much more talkative."

"I'm sure." Adagio muttered, before her face shifted. "Wait, did you say King Sombr - "

But it was too late; the door to the cell slammed shut, and she was once more swallowed up in darkness.

The room was dark, save for an ornate candlestick burning silently on the desk. Reclining in a wooden chair, Sombra stared down quietly at the three glittering jewels in his hand. There was nothing immediately unusual about them. Each gem was sizeable, and each a matching, beautiful deep red. But he had jewels aplenty, many more impressive than these. Besides that, there was nothing; no heat, or movement, or glitter, nothing that suggested they possessed even a trace of magical power.

"And you say you are quite certain these are the key to their powers?"

"I am." Little Rock replied. "Two of them fought viciously to keep them."

"Only two of them?"

"I believe the third saw wisdom; saw it would all go much smoother for her if she surrendered her gem."

"I see." He nodded approvingly. "And you mentioned the three of them were related."

"Sisters, my Lord."

"Well, then. Send them up."

"I've already arranged for them to be delivered to us." The apprehension in his voice was palpable. "I am curious to know what you have planned for the three of them."

"I have no doubt you are. However, I must request I be allowed to conduct an audience with them alone this one time."

"My Lord?" Little Rock tilted his head inquiringly, unsure if Sombra was being sincere. "Are - are you certain that is wise? These three girls were more than a match for me and my personal entourage. Not that I am suggest you couldn't - I - I would not want you to be at risk, you see."

Sombra glared thunderously at his vassal for a few, dangerous moments, then broke out into a wide smile.

"Your concern is appreciated, but unnecessary. I am more than capable of taking care of myself. I must ask you to take the rest of the night off."

Little Rock wanted more than anything to find a reason to argue back, to find favour with his lord and be allowed to remain, but he sensed he was treading on thin ice as things stood. Bowing gracefully, he backed away and slipped through the thick oak door to Sombra's study.

Less than ten minutes later, Sombra's study of the amulets was broken by a soft knock at the door.

"Enter."

The door slowly swung open, and a rough hand forced the three young women waiting behind it through. As soon as they were past the threshold to the room, the guard grasped the door handle and slammed it, apparently in a hurry to leave.

They somehow cut a more imposing character than Sombra had been expecting from Little Rock's tale, each of their eyes burning with a fierce intensity that was uncharacteristically steeled for ones so young. Undeterred, he held the three amulets up in his grip, noticing each of their eyes light up at the sight.

"These are yours, I believe." Adagio took a step forward, then froze as Sombra chuckled. Patting a long, thin, cruel-looking blade that hung by his waist, he slowly shook his head. "We don't want to go that way. Trust me. Play along, and you'll have these amulets back, and plenty to go with them."

Adagio frowned, unnerved. "Why should we believe you?"

"Because the alternative is I can smash these right now, and send you down to the scullery to serve as my slaves for the rest of your lives."

Adagio paused, then nodded.

"A fair point. What do you want?"

"Only to ask a few, fair questions. First, I want you to tell me, honestly, where you come from."

"And I've told you already. We're from another dimension."

Sombra nodded.

"I believe you. How?"

"We were..." Adagio slowed, unsure how best to describe their exodus from Equestria. ...banished."

Sombra's expression never flickered.

"Why?"

"While... feeding on the native inhabitants of our land, we treaded on a few of the wrong toes. They sent us here."

"Feeding on?"

Adagio paused once more, unsure as to how much information she should give away. "We extract an... essence from creatures. We need it to live."

"And these amulets - " He shook the glittering red gemstones in his hand. " - are a part of this feeding process?"

"Yes."

"I see."

Sombra sighed and slipped the gemstones back into his pocket.

"How long does your kind normally live?"

"As long as we like. As long as we feed regularly, we never age." Sombra's eyes burned at her statement.

"Wonderful."

Rising to his feet, he trembled slightly as he stepped towards them. Sonata and Aria stepped back instinctively, but Adagio held firm.

"To live forever - no, to be frozen in time, my mortal form never once crumbling, decaying or aging - is a power I have sought since I was a boy. Now, years after I abandon my search, fate herself deposits you into my hands. How fortunate I am." He stared down at Adagio with a slightly dazed look in his eyes. "You can teach this power to me?"

Adagio faltered, then broke out into her best smile.

"Of course. All we'd need is our amulets back, and we could show you how to do it right away."

"Hmm." Sombra frowned. "But if I were to return these... I'd be at your mercy."

Adagio's face darkened as Sombra stroked his beard.

"Of course, there's an easy solution."

"There is?" Adagio repeated, surprised.

"Of course. I understand at all three of you must be present for this spell to work." Sonata opened her mouth, then immediately shut it upon catching sight of Aria's thunderous glare. Once again, the amulets were back in his hands. "One of you will assist me - no, you." He pointed at Adagio. "I will return this amulet to you. And you will show me how it works."

"And how do I know you won't just stab us in the back once I've shown you?"

"You have no such assurance. This is not a negotiation." Sombra growled the word with distain. "You will comply with my request, or you will never see the light of freedom again."

Adagio hesitated, then sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

"All right. I'll help you. On one condition."

She raised her hand and pointed at Aria and Sonata.

"Let them go. Take me, but free them."

Sombra's eyes gave nothing away, but the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

"As you wish."

"'dagi?" Sonata whispered. Beside her, Aria looked stunned.

"Adagio, you... you don't have to - "

"It's fine." Adagio glanced back, smiling bravely. "It'll all be fine. It won't take long for me to show him how our amulets work. - and then I can leave, can't I? We won't be apart for long, I - I promise."

Sombra's grin only grew as Sonata's eyes began to water and she threw her arms around her older sister, much to her surprise.

"Sonata! Calm down!"

"'dagi! Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you so much!"

Aria approached awkwardly as Adagio wrestled Sonata off. Catching Adagio's gaze, she instinctively looked away.

"I... Thanks, Adagio. Really."

"I'm touched." Adagio deadpanned, a warm, genuine smile on her lips. "Take Sonata and go back to the inn. I'll meet you as soon as I can. They can take their life crystals with them, can't they?" She glanced back at Sombra, who scowled.

"They may take one. You and I will need one apiece if you are to show me how they work."

"But - " Sonata began, only to be cut off my Adagio raising her hand.

"No deal. Either you give both of my sisters back their life crystals, or you'll get no help. From any of us."

"Really?" Sombra sneered, striding forwards to tower over Adagio. "And what makes you think you're in any position to issue demands?"

"Please. You need me. You want my help? Fine, you've got it. But this is my price."

Sombra fixed his gaze and stared Adagio down. When the girl didn't flinch, he sighed. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew two of the amulets.

"If this is an attempt to trick me, I can assure you, all three of you will wish you had never been born."

The amulets flew from his grasp and clattered against the floor at Aria and Sonata's feet. Both Sirens knelt to pick up the amulets, each feeling a rush of relief as the cold, unnatural feeling of death seemed to depart from them as soon as their fingers closed around the perfect red crystals.

As they laced the pendants around their necks, Sombra retrieved the final amulet and studied it closely. The gemstone was unblemished by scratches or chips, though he suspected it was far older than its owner's appearances would suggest.

"Tell me, how long have - "

That was as far as he got. His blood ran a course of ice through his veins as Sonata and Aria burst into song, a chilling, high-pitched lullaby unlike any earthly song he had ever heard, and realized far too late that he had been mislead, that he had so callously made the greatest mistake of his entire life.

A sickly green light crept into his eyes as the Sirens lowered their pitch, their eyes flashing with the same green light as wide, cruel grins split their faces in two, instantly transforming them into beings of pure evil. The hulking figure before them fell to his knees, the amulet slipping through his fingers and falling to the floor, where it slowly span to Adagio's feet.

Stooping down to pick up the crystal, Adagio tied it around her neck with a look of contempt, before she turned to face her sisters.

"Well, that was eventful. I have to say, you two played the role perfectly."

Sonata smiled blankly back at her as Aria tossed her hair with a smirk.

"Please. As if I was going to screw this one up." She eyed Sombra with intense disgust. "Now what?"

"Hmm..." Adagio mused, strutting over to Sombra and tapping her foot on the ground. "I'd like to tell him to jump out of the window, but I don't think that's in our best interests. We should probably call over some of the guards and have him tell them to escort us out of the city."

Aria didn't look happy - or sound convinced.

"Won't the spell wear off once we've left?"

"It should last a few hours. We should be long gone by then. As soon as we're out of the city limits, we'll just have to put as much distance between us and this place as possible."

"It just feels... I don't know, risky." A sudden jolt of pain caused her to yelp and double over, hissing as she took in a sharp breath. "Fuck! I'm starving. Forget escaping, when are we going to eat?"

"What do you want me to do, just conjure up a crowd of people for you? For heaven's sake, Aria, it's only been a few days. You can go longer than that... without..."

Another evil grin flittered across her face as she stared upwards at the rigid, catatonic monarch in front of her.

"Actually, forget what I just said. Fuck an escape plan." How could she have been so blind? "We're sitting on the mother of all meals right now, and tonight, we're going to feast."

"My Lord!"

Little Rock fell to his knees, the dagger he had snatched up in panic clattering to the floor as he laid eyes on the intruder who had burst into his private chambers unannounced.

"Forgive me, I was... unsure... who..."

He frowned as he stared at his king. Something wasn't right.

"Are you... quite all right, my Lord?"

Sombra was looking unusually demure, almost docile. His normally wild, fierce gaze was gone, replaced with a passive demeanour he'd never once seen before on his king, nor imagined the bestial man to be capable of. His eyes were somewhat dull and glazed over, and when he spoke, his voice was totally flat and dry, devoid of intonation.

"Little Rock. I have been successful in deciphering the secrets of the Siren's powers."

"Really?" He couldn't disguise the shock in his voice. "The Sirens - those girls, you mean? C-congratulations. I did not imagine you would be successful so quickly - not - not that I ever doubted your expertise, of course." He added hastily.

"I intend to hold a ceremony before the city, that all may witness my new power and adore their king. Tonight. You will assist me in this."

"Of course."

"Dispatch riders to all four corners of the walls and to the outlying villages. I want them all assembled in the Great Courtyard, before the Umbral Balcony. Every man, woman and child is to attend, on pain of death."

"As you wish." Little Rock didn't flinch, but internally his stomach twisted itself into a knot. Was Sombra mad? Was he asking for a revolt? "Death? You... you are certain, my liege?"

"Death. Make no mistake, this is no ordinary ceremony. No citizen should wish to miss this event."

"On your orders, my liege. If you are certain, then it shall be so." He rose to his feet, inclining his head towards the doorway. The hulking figure didn't move, forcing him to speak up. "My Lord, I... I must leave this room if I am to fulfil your request."

Sombra shook his head, confused, then stepped back. Little Rock passed him, then glanced back, a look of real concern on his face.

"My Lord, have you been taken ill lately? Perhaps struck your head? I - I only ask because - "

"I am quite all right." Sombra murmured, not turning around once. "Please, do as you are asked."

Little Rock gulped and paced off into the gloomy palace corridors, not daring to glance back. A minute of silence followed before three figures slipped out of an adjacent darkened hallway, previously eclipsed from view.

"That went well." Aria observed dryly, stepping past Sombra and glancing around at Little Rock's chambers before letting out a dry chuckle. "I still think we should have had the big guy come onto him. That would have cheered me up."

"And have given us away." Adagio stepped up beside her, a satisfied, smug expression on her face. "But you're right, that couldn't have gone better." Her tongue ran across her lips in anticipation. "Soon, we'll have all the power we need." How many people lived in this city, she wondered? Thousands? Ten thousand? Twenty? More? There mere thought of that power was intoxicating.

Of course, the real question was... would it be enough?

Little Rock pulled the reins of his steed, his foul mood making him yank harder than ever, earning a whinny and a disapproving snort from the beast before it dutifully set off.

He despised coming out here. The outlying villages were, without exception, always inhabited by the lowest dregs of human life he'd ever had the displeasure of meeting, a motley rabble of inbreeds, superstitious fools and simpletons. The best that could be said of them was that they were compliant, and followed orders without question. If it wasn't for his mistrust of his riders to follow his orders to the letter, he wouldn't have bothered coming. His orders - Sombra's orders - could never be seen to be unexecuted.

What was wrong with Sombra, anyway? It was so unlike the king to insist on a large gathering like this, and on such short notice. Then again, the king had always been prone to sudden, rash decisions, in both war and peace. Many of his vassals and those within his court deplored him for it, but Little Rock alone saw the genius of Sombra's strategy for what it was. A king who made decisions without rhyme or pattern could not be reliably predicted by his enemies, and that alone was enough to keep them on their toes. In war, it bubbled to the surface as paranoia that made them equally rash and blustering, throwing caution to the wind and so often dashing their chances against it. But this... this was too much.

Whatever it was he had discovered must be immensely important if he intended to go to these lengths to demonstrate it. Had he discovered how to replicate the girls... the Sirens... spell? The idea repulsed him to his core. Sombra was a dark figure, but even Little Rock had not believed him capable of dabbling in black magic.

Perhaps he was mad. The idea was one he had considered before. Certainly, his reign had been reckless. He had moved on in years, but not once made arrangements to secure his lineage, despite the enormity of the throne he sat atop. When he passed - as all men must do - Little Rock wondered what would become of his throne. A few possible successors passed his mind, but none with the power to enforce their claim righteously. A brutal, long, bloody war was certain to follow his legacy.

A grim prospect, indeed.

The clattering of hooves reached his ears as one of his riders, a tall, thin, grey-skinned man with light blue eyes, rode up beside him.

"What is it, lieutenant?"

"Sir, we've just finished alerting all the villages in this area. Do you want us to ride further afield, or will this suffice?"

"I believe this will be do. Any further and we would risk not being present by sundown. Rally the men to return to the city." His gloved hands stretched out to grip his steed's reins once more. "I take it the peasants were all nice and compliant?"

"A few grumblers, but nothing too serious. I don't envy the boys you sent south to the Sapphire Fields." He chuckled darkly. "The locals there must have crossbred with a tribe of ogres some time in the past. Each of the men seven feet tall and the women not so dainty either, from what I heard."

"Indeed. Why do you think I didn't go myself?"

The two men laughed.

"Come on." Little Rock pulled his steed's reins, causing the horse to whine and start dutifully treading forwards. "Curse these mountains. I'll need several tankards of ale down me to get this chill out."

We will be adored

Tell us that you want us.

We won't be ignored,

It's time for our reward!

Now you need us,

Come and heed us,

Nothing can stop us now!

The three siren's voices rose in pitch to a scream as they finished their song. Before them, their practice audience - a collection of scullery maids and other castle staff - swayed hypnotically, their eyes little more than patches of green light.

"It's perfect." Aria stepped up to one of the maids and studied her intently. Without warning, she swung the palm of her hands through the air and slapped the young woman across the face - who didn't even blink.

"Oh my God, it's better than perfect. I bet you they'd kill themselves if we told them to."

"Always a pleasure listening to you, Aria." Adagio stepped closer, followed slowly by Sonata. "Should we feed now, or do you want to wait until we've got the whole city assembled?"

"Are you kidding? I'm saving my appetite." Aria's eyes burned in anticipation. "We're going to burn this fucking city to the ground. I wouldn't miss that for anything."

"Then what should we do with them?" Sonata piped up, nodding towards their current audience. Adagio frowned and turned her attention to the assembled humans in front of her.

One of them caught her eye, the maid Aria had slapped. Closing in on her, she began to notice finer details. She was young, barely finishing adolescence, but carried herself with a stiffness and formality well beyond her years. To an untrained eye, she might have the appearance of a well-paid servant, but the bloodied scuffs around her wrists told a different story - and despite the elaborate white lace collar she wore, there was little that could be done to disguise the deep purple hand-shaped bruise around her neck.

"Listen up!"

Adagio roared the order, every head in the room snapping to attention towards her in response.

"All of you will go to the dungeon and hide there until tomorrow morning. Then take whatever you can carry from whatever we leave and go to your home village. Change your names, cut your hair, live your lives and never mention this city again. Understand?"

Every head nodded in unison.

"Then get to it. Oh, and forget you ever saw us. We were never here. Understood?"

Another round of nods. The three sirens watched as the assembled humans formed an orderly line and began to file out of the room, not one of them glancing back.

"You sure that was a good idea?" Aria grumbled. "I'd rather not leave any witnesses."

"Relax. I told them to forget us. Besides, it's cleaner this way. Less cleaning up."

Quietly, she was pleased she didn't have to add any more innocent bodies to her count, but she deigned not to bring that up in front of Aria and Sonata.

"Let's get back to business. Sombra's lackey is probably finished scraping together as many meals as he can muster. We need to get into position. But, first thing first..."

At a click of her fingers, Sombra approached, his eyes still glassy and unfocused.

"Go out to the balcony and start... talking. Say whatever it takes to keep them together. As soon as things kick off..." She considered the brute in front of her for a moment. "Make the world a better place, and jump off."

"Do a flip if you can manage it."

"Aria..."

"I'm just messing with you." As Adagio turned away, she leaned in and began to whisper in a hushed tone.

"But seriously, do a flip."

The courtyard was packed with souls, each of them pushing and jostling against each other for a place that would allow them a view of the Umbral Balcony, the great perch from where King Sombra had addressed his nation so many times before. Never once had so many been called to witness their king speak, drawing the inquisition and interest of even those who despised their shadow monarch, further increasing the density of humans crammed into the square.

Amidst the throng, three figures, shrouded in thick cloaks drawn tightly over their heads, pushed their way seemingly effortlessly past, making directly for the centre of the crowd.

A howl of acknowledgement went up in the air as an armour and felt-clad figure, his thick and wild raven hair fluttering in the wind, stepped up to the balcony. Glaring down with burning fury at his assembled citizenry, he threw his head back and roared a greeting, his voice reverberating off a network of crystal shards laid into the base of the podium, amplifying his voice and broadcasting it to every living soul in reach.

"Citizens of the Crystal Empire! Your King, the Lord of Shadows, addresses you! Hear my voice and heed me - all who resist the might of King Sombra will perish!"

The crowd roared their approval, the stamping of their feet shaking the very ground beneath them. Every last man, woman and child joined in, not daring be seen to be outdone by their surrounding countrymen, fearing swift retribution for any who dared defy the glorification of their mighty emperor. The content of his words were immaterial; all that mattered was the force and fury with which he cried, which shuddered their bones and chilled them to their spirits.

At the precipice of the crowd, a figure, perched rigidly atop a sleek, muscular steed, approached the crowd. Little Rock couldn't help but smirk at the ease with which Sombra whipped the peasants into a frenzy, hypnotized their bodies and captured their minds like a slavemaster with a leash. He could be said to have no equal.

"My subjects, tonight marks the rising of a new moon, and a new beginning for my mighty empire. My mortal reign draws to a close. For I have unlocked the key to immortality - to eternal life! My reign, from now until forever, shall be a glorious aeon of splendour, forged by my might alone!"

Little Rock's breath caught in his throat. Surely not.

Edging closer to the crowd, he stared intently at the figure above him. He wasn't too far away for Little Rock to make out his features, but where he expected to find the familiar wild, demented expression he was so accustomed to seeing on his lord when he was in the middle of a crazed rant, there was only a plastic passivity, something he was utterly unused to seeing Sombra wear. For that matter, it was a masque unusual of any human, lacking the characteristic spark that differentiated the living from the dead.

Where had he seen that stolidity before? It nagged at him, scratched part of his brain he just couldn't quite access...

"By the hand of three Sirens, I have unlocked the secrets to the elixir of youth. My bloodline now extends into infinity!"

The Sirens. The Sirens. The Sirens... the SIRENS!

His boots drove themselves into the side of his warhorse with a speed that caused the animal to whinny furiously and rear into the air, forcing him to wrestle with the reins in an attempt to bring the beast under control. In seconds, he was back in the saddle and charging forwards, desperate to make it to the platform before it was too late.

In the middle of the crowd, Adagio glanced around at the teeming mass of humans surrounding them and smirked. Her arms reached out and lightly tapped both of her sisters on the back.

"It's time."

With a gentle hum, the three sisters began to sing.

Ahh, ah-ah, ahh
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah

A green mist began to rise, seemingly from the very ground beneath them, snaking around their ankles and rising to their chests, where it soaked into their amulets, lighting them with an incandescent glow that illuminated their features. A few bystanders stiffened, their eyes hardening as they began to glance around at the other humans mobbing them.

Feel the wave of sound
As it crashes down
You can't turn away
We'll make you wanna stay...

The first roars of fury began as first shoves, then fists began to fly around the three of them. The chartreuse mist was thicker than ever, rising up their necks and shrouding their vision. Out of the emerald haze few a splatter of blood as the anarchy around them began to take grip.

We will be adored
Tell us that you want us
We won't be ignored
It's time for our reward!

With their final words, the Sirens were lifted into the air, their amulets now glowing bright red. Jets of light shot from each pendant as chaos below them reigned, wrapping each of them in its unbearably bright grip.

Aria, Sonata and Adagio's voices reached their apex as the glow consumed their bodies. Their hair lengthened in an instant, growing well past their waist as ears sprouted from their heads. From their backs tore wings, scale-like and webbed, which served to lift them higher and higher above the anarchy below.

The green smoke flew up to greet them, each siren stiffening and shaking as they felt unimaginable power course through their veins. Each of their eyes flew open, eyes no longer inhabited by irises and pupils but instead a sinister, evil red. A bright red light burst forth from their chests as they felt the constraints shackling them to these frail, mortal bodies shatter like glass, and their true forms erupted free.

The three sirens, scale, claw, wings and all, rose into the sky from their puppeteered avatars, their once angelic voices corrupted into foul, hissing shrieks. Swooping down on the fighting crowd, their life crystals glowed with fury as the negative energy of the masses soaked into them, imbuing them with more power than they ever thought possible.

Atop the balcony, Sombra stepped closer to the edge, his face devoid of emotion. Behind him, the sound of a door bursting open heralded the arrival of his most trusted vassal.

"Your Majesty! Wait!"

Sombra didn't even glance back. Little Rock surged forwards, then skidded to a halt a few paced behind his king.

"My lord, you are not taken well. You have been cursed. I beg of you, if any part of you can hear me, step back from the balcony."

"Is that so?"

Sombra didn't even sound concerned.

"How interesting."

Little Rock roared in anger as his king stepped forwards and over the balcony, disappearing over the precipice of his kingdom and plunging to the earth below. Falling to his knees, he gripped his sword and drew it from his sheath, fire in his eyes as he turned, heart burning to slay the foul witches who had bought the empire he loved to ruin.

It was the shock of his own approaching death, the rushing of the wind in his ears and the suddenness of his action that caused Sombra to finally awake from his spell. Mere seconds before he struck the ground, he opened his mouth to roar, only to be cut off by the sudden impact that forever cut his breath short and sent him spiralling into the void beyond.

Out of the corner of her eye, Aria noted, with satisfaction, that he did, indeed, do a flip.

As soon as they had consumed their fill, the Sirens returned to their bodies. While they would have preferred to remain in their bestial avatars permanently, these forms were fragile, ephemeral things, not meant to last. Lowering slowly to the ground, they felt their new hair and ears retract as their wings wilted and flaked away - an uncomfortable experience to say the least.

Adagio, recovering first, shook her head to order her thoughts, then seized her sisters and dragged them through the bloodied and bruised crowd. Vanishing into a nearby alleyway, they were quickly swallowed up by darkness.

Charging across the square, Little Rock, flanked by a handful of his most trusted lieutenants, scanned the crowd with bloodthirsty eyes, eagerly seeking a flash of colour that might alert him to the presence of the Sirens. Finding nothing, he cursed and tried to turn his steed, accidentally knocking over a tall, thick-set man and causing his horse to stumble precariously.

"Useless peasant! Watch your step!"

Rising to his feet, the peasant cursed and seized Little Rock by the leg, dragging him to the ground with a roar of fury. Shocked still by this utterly outrageous display of defiance, Little Rock was quickly beset upon by angry figures, each scrabbling for a piece of their hated lord to pummel.

"Tyrant!"

"Brute!"

"Scoundrel!"

"Get back!"

A series of dull thuds sounded as Little Rock's lieutenants joined the fray, striking at his assailants with brutal blows that sent many of them reeling. As he was wrenched to his feet, Little Rock drew his sword and pointed it threateningly at his assailants.

"Get back, you filthy serf! How dare you strike one of your betters!"

The peasant responded with a foul jeer before spitting at him. Blinded red with rage, Little Rock surged forwards and swung his sword through the air, sending a crimson arc of blood raining down.

A roar of outrage rung out as more peasants surged forwards in fury, forcing his lieutenants to draw their weapons in response. Slowly stepping back, he glanced behind him, feeling a sudden rush of alarm at the realization that his horse had bolted in the chaos.

"Get away from me! I am your rightful lord, and I demand - "

His speech was cut short by a sudden bloody gurgle to his right, as one of his lieutenants was pierced through the throat by a blade that had been thrown from somewhere in the rapidly growing crowd. Rocks and other missiles began to rain down on the remaining nobles, forcing them to back further and further away until one of them, a frail, thin youth, bolted, dropping his sword to a cacophony of jeers that only intensified as Little Rock and the remainder of his entourage followed suit.

He ran like he had never run before, his breath tearing at his lungs, not daring to glance back for even a second out of fear that even a moment's distraction would slow him down and give the crowd the momentary opportunity they needed to land upon him and tear him to shreds. Slipping in and out of alleyways, he ran until his legs could no longer support him, crashing to a heap in a part of the city he knew to be sparsely populated on the best of days. His head fell into his hands as he wept.

His liege was dead. The kingdom, shattered. He knew not what was to come, but one thing was certain; his vassalage was finished. He was despised outside of Sombra's court, and by many within. His lieutenants were either dead, or never to be heard from again. All because of those damned Sirens. Why couldn't he just have left well enough alone?

A shout in the distance caused him to freeze. The sound of a window shattering, followed by cheers. Looters, no doubt.

Forcing himself to his feet, his sore, tired legs forced him onwards. The last thing he needed was to be found within the city limits. He had nothing left but his life; and he didn't want to give those bastards a chance to rob him to that too.

The flames of the city seemed to reach up to the clouds, belching forth vast plumes of smoke that smothered the sky and choked the horizon. Sonata, Aria and Adagio sat together, perched atop a hillside as they watched the capital of the Crystal Empire die and smoulder.

"Quite the adventure." Adagio murmured, enraptured by the anarchy before her.

"Adventure? We almost died, Adagio."

"Well, it's no fun without a bit of risk, is it?"

"I'm hungry."

"Shh, Sonata. Look at the pretty lights."

Aria collapsed backwards, staring at the night sky, taking her final opportunity to study its star-studded mystery before it, too, was consumed by smoke and ash.

"So, what next?"

"I don't think I've ever consumed that much negative energy before in one sitting. I could go a week without feeding."

"We still need a roof over our heads. Food. Clean water. And..." She glanced down at her filthy, sodden, burned dress. "...I can't believe I'm saying this, but some new clothes wouldn't go amiss."

"Tomorrow, Aria."

The three sisters fell silent once more, the burning city in front of them glittering in the reflections of each of their eyes.

- Fifty Years Later -

The tavern burned with chatter, warmth and good feelings. Ale and beer poured freely from the tap as its patrons buzzed with familiarity and good natures, paying no heed to the quiet, lonely soul nursing a solitary cup of stout.

He was in a bad way, inside and out. His body ached. His bones hurt. His hair, once a thick mop of fine raven that had been his pride, was now reduced to a collecting of thinning, wispy strands of grey. His internal organs were rotting from within, causing him nightly pains for which there was only one anaesthetic, the same dark liquid before him he was certain was to blame for the rot in the first place.

But all of these pains were nothing compared to his lost pride, his regrets and miseries of the lost life he had once held, now mere memories that could not hold but a candle to his former glory.

A vassal in the famed Crystal Empire, the right-hand man to the famed King Sombra before his sudden, shocking death that had ripped his kingdom into countless fragments. A death, he insisted, bought about by the meddling of three witches. Now, reduced to the status of the same peasants he had despised so at the height of his power, reduced to menial work, alms and the charity of the church to feed himself.

The few patrons who were willing to listen politely to his rambling tales clearly thought him mad. He did not blame them. Sometimes, he himself wondered if any of it had actually happened, if it wasn't a mere figment of his decaying mind increasingly unable to recall the names and faces of those he had once held dear.

Now, in the twilight of his life, there was little to do other than drink and wait for the end. He would not complain when it came. He had lived a long, long time by the standards of his age, and there was nothing about life he particularly enjoyed, anyway.

A soft chanting from across the room disrupted his melancholy musings, and he found himself irresistibly, uncontrollably drawn to the sound. Travelling musicians would occasionally make the rounds, visiting taverns and playing music in hopes of charity. He despised most of them.

Yet why, this time, did he feel so drawn? Why, this time, did he find himself rising to his feet, dragging his aching body and wasting muscles across the tavern floor to see these newcomers?

It wasn't until he laid eyes on them that a bolt of lightning ran through him, and he realized exactly where he had heard that oh-so-familiar song before. He felt his insides drop, then shrivel up and die, as he stared at the impossible scene before him.

As young as ever, untouched by age, stood three young women, eyes glowing green as they sang, each wearing a different outfit, a different hairstyle - but for some commonality; an identical, simple gem amulet laced around their necks, the very same he had once held in his hands over fifty years before.

He staggered backwards, gripping a table for strength as his brain reeled at the impossibility of the scene before him. The corners of his mouth turned upwards, and he chuckled. Then chortled, Then, he began to laugh. Returning to his drink, he laughed harder than ever, wheezing and gasping as he held his body, laughing so hard he feared his sides would split.

Pounding the table in mirth, Little Rock felt his final grip on sanity slip away as he acknowledged the inevitable reality of a world gone mad.

End of Act One

Author's Note

Crazy times. Stay safe out there.