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It was the night Ophelia appeared at the nursery. Cardius just took a look at her and knew what she was.
She didnt belong here.. She wasnt from here.
Cardius knew what that meant. She could destroy this world, and everything they'd been working towards. His child, his friends, his wife. Oh absolutely not... They couldn't let that happen. Not under their watch. Not if they could help it.
Oh but Lovelle. His sweet Lovelle. She saw the best in everyone. She couldn't help it, it was the kindness in her. But she didn't know that this lost soul could become their undoing. Their whole world could collapse.
Ophelia awoke in a cot in a cold sweat. Where was she? How had she gotten here? Upon a look around the small, picture-esque bedding and ward. It was... Perfect. Like something from an untouched dollhouse. It made her feel like she didn't belong. She could hear whispers. It was too quiet in this sickeningly sweet place, It unnerved her to her core. Nothing is this... Cozy.
The last thing she remembered was being some sort of forest, seeing some badly damaged papers on the forest floors. She heard the spirring of wheels approaching her cot. She turned her head towards the curtains, being greeted by a cold, unfeeling robot nurse. The nurse articulated its movements, being mindful of Ophelia's delicate state.
Thats when she saw it. A flash of... of... A flash of when she asked {{REDACTED}} to hold her hand through it all.. A flash of when she was strapped down... When she asked {{REDACTED}} To protect her from.. From..?
She couldn't remember. What were these- why was she getting back memories that she thought she didn't have. Is she safe here? who are these people? and why can't she exit The Nursery? one thing is certain - she can't trust anyone.. Why? Why, why, why? Surely there must be-....
He feels it. He feels her presence.
Cardius looks up. He feels something wrong. Under his watchful eye? How could anything pass through? He was sure nothing had entered.. He spots his wife returning from somewhere, being oddly concerned. It wasn't uncommon for her to be concerned for new patien-
Oh.
Oh Lovelle what have you done..
Deep down. You hide a reason for shame. Leaving him feeling betrayed. Breaking the bonds that you made. There is no price we won't pay. You know what it takes to survive.
Cardius sighed in worry, before he decided that he should confront her about this before it gets out of hand. He ambles upto Lovelle, hands clasped together in worry. "My dear heart.. Please tell me you did not bring in someone without checking them properly.."
Lovelle looked at him, biting her lip in hesitation, she almost didn't want to respond. Almost. "But what harm could just one more girl make? Please? She seems disressed..!"
A breath escapes Cardius in exasperation, a crack sounding in the middle of his head. "Love.. Please.. Think of our world.. Think of the nursery- the patients..! O...O-our work- Our-.. Our.. T-think of Arctus..!" He blurted out. his hands desperately reaching out to take her hands, to make her understand.
But Lovelle only took a step back. "What's gotten into you... What are you saying... Nothing is going to happen to anyone..! All these hours working tirelessly are getting to your head..! Look at what you're saying! One lost girl can destroy our world??"
Cardius took a step forward instinctively, the crack in his head only deepening, belying the depth of his panic to attempt to explain to his beloved the importance of keeping that girl away from here. "Lovelle- You don't understand- She's not of our world..! She'll- she... She doesn't belong here...!"
Lovelle looked at Cardius in disgust, "You're only saying this because she's human, aren't you? I never expected this from you Cardius... You're not the husband I once married."
Cardius felt like his world had just shattered, his heart drumming loudly in his ears, as he tried to say something, but the words got caught up in his throat. But when Lovelle started to walk away, he couldn't stay quiet any longer. "No... No- Lovelle you don't understand..- I would never do that to anyone..! Please my love, don't think of me like that, you know I would never alienate anyone..." he pleaded, hoping that Lovelle would listen, but was too in her emotions to listen, too unaware to listen. Too... Kind.
Cardius was in shambles, his wife had left him. And their world was at stake.
How has everything been turned against us? How did suffering become so endless? How am I to reunite with my estranged? Do I need to change?
When the witch turns men to pigs to protect her nymphs Is she going insane? Or did she learn to be colder when she got older and now she saves them the pain.
When a god comes down and makes a fleet drown, is he scared that he's doing something wrong? Or does he keep us in check so we must respect him and now no one dares to piss him off.
Does a soldier use a wooden horse to kill sleeping Trojans because he is vile? Or does he throw away his remorse and save more lives with guile.
What if I became the monster..?
If I became the monster and threw that guilt away would that make me stronger? Would it keep our foes at bay? If I became the monster to everyone but us and made sure we stayed safe again... Who would care if I'm unjust?
All these thoughts circled around in Cardius' head. He had to make a decision. One he hoped he wouldn't regret.
He has had Enough.
He'd decided.
"Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves. I have to rid of that girl before he understands what she is." He muttered to himself.
He's tried to kick Ophelia out of the nursery all together, but he knew it wouldn't be enough. He'd have to lure her to her certain death.
It had taken him a while... But he had done it. He had dug a grave and lured in the girl with false sweetness and hospitality, now he stood over the grave he had dug with the girl alive in an open coffin. Ophelia tried to reason with him, pleading for mercy.
"Mercy? Mercy..? My mercy's long since drowned. It died to save my home, and as long as you're around, my family's fate is left unknown." He spoke, his voice cold and unfeeling. He would do it. He would save his world before Ophelia could destroy it.
This would be her last sight. Him over over her grave, grinning as he'd start to shovel the dig onto her.