Chapter 160: Ariadne is a Dictator

Ariadne was never the same since her return from the underworld, and now it would seem that her powers increase tenfold. A place which was once ruled harmony under the of administration of Reika and lleus faced ruin now. Any person who dared dispute her decisions disappeared, without a clue about their whereabout. She sat at the head of this long gown of crimson, perching from this shimmering ebony throne. Standing beside her always, her loyal beta, twisted with amusements as he watched the misery of people outside. "My Queen," a shaking servant dared to tell her. "The people-" Ariadne cast him a wicked glance. "Still working?" "Y-Yes, my Queen," the man stuttered. "But they are hungry. They beg for small mercy, forgiveness." Ariadne's head jerked sideways, her mouth twisted in a near comical display of amusement. "Mercy?" she mocked. "Did Reika have mercy on me when she shamed me? Did she plead to the gods to spare my life?" She leaned forward again; the light within her eyes blazed with danger. "Let them suffer. Let them understand what it is to be at the bottom of true power." The servant swallowed hard and hunched further down. "Yes, my Queen." He turned and left, when Finley chuckled and took a step closer to Ariadne. "You like their pain, don't you?" She smiled, tracing her finger patterns on the arm of her throne. "Why should I? They ought to be thankful I don't finally destroy them in the first place. The flick of a wrist and this would become one giant flowery bed." Finley bent his head close. "Concerning the trappings of power, my Queen, there is news." Ariadne's smile died with the words. "What news? Finley worked his jaw before he could continue, "Another one of your monsters has been slain." Cold suddenly filled the room. Ariadne's fingers dug into the armrest. "Reika?" Finley shook his head. "No. It wasn't her." The room hung silent. It crackled with tense snap, indeed, as her anger slowly arose. She kept her jaw tightly shut, fighting this fury which flooded every inch of her being to manage slow, calculated breaths. "If it wasn't Reika," she finally continued, and then her low tones took on a distinctly dangerous timber, "who did it?" He shifted a little uncomfortably. "Don't know exactly. Reports mention a strong werewolf did."   Ariadne's nails clawed into the stone armrest, digging grooves into the black marble as her eyes smoldered into molten fire.   "Wolf??," she spat again, tasting the name on her tongue like venom.   Finley nodded. "Yes, my Queen. He was seen near village farms, and it would appear he- Enough, Ariadne spat, rising in one smooth motion. The dress fluttered, a flash of dark energy coursing across itself. On the walls, the torches began their crazed dance, as if some demon took over them, casting crazed shadows around the room. "I will not be shown insolence. I sent those creatures to instill fear, to weaken them before striking. If that wolf thinks he can interfere with my plans, then he will face the consequences." Finley smiled. "Should I send another monster? Ariadne's head went side to side, slow. "No," she hushed softly through venom in a whisper, "this time I will go in person." He turned to the huge obsidian mirror at the far side of the room. He gave his hand some part of will; it fluttered like water, as if steadied, and presented them with the vivid picture of tortures-what was done against her folk:. They were weak, frail, hounded down from the demands that she made to their existence with her rule. It was almost a sight pleasing only to herself. For herein, power allowed her to feel in control-a concept deeply ensconced in her-with all control. Thus, "Summon the elders." Finley had faltered to begin. "My Queen, already are elders showing disquiet over-" "Summon!" she hounded out as an echo in that chamber. Within a blink of an eye, elders were filled in the room-exhausted by fear. Elders that have held their voices in the land were deigned small toys bound to jump to her pleasure. Among them was Elder Rowan. He came forth much timidity, "My Queen," he began with all wariness, "we came to discuss the condition of our people. They Ariadne laughed, the sound cavernous as the chill of the air. "Their comfort?" She drifted down the stairs of her throne, drawing herself abreast of the old man. "You really should be discussing how to make them fear me more, rather than how to ease their suffering." Rowan's face tightened, though he said nothing. A slight-framed elder came forward. In milksop tones and a voice that would not stop quivering, he ventured, "My Queen, if we continue in this manner… the people will break." Ariadne's head whipped toward him; the hand that flung up did so in such a flourish he could do little more than widen his eyes in alarm. The dark energy coiled out and actually shot from her, wrapping about his throat, jerking him right off the floor. The elder choked, feet kicking as he tore into the invisible force choking him. "You dare suggest I change?" Ariadne spat. And in a moment, all the others were kneeling, their heads bowed high in supplication. "My Queen, we will not question!" called out Rowan. And Ariadne let the elder fall to the floor in a heap, in heavy breathing, terror white in face. A pleased curl of a smile on her lips, she turned away from him. "Good," she purred, "remember it, all. I am never to be questioned. You would not exist if I want it." The elders nodded furiously and furiously. Finley chuckled beside her. "You never make an entrance, my Queen."   Ariadne sighed heavily; her fingers began to massage the side of her temple. "This Lleus.I want him found. He wants to be heroic, but he needs a show of power from me, personally." Already her mind galloped ahead to the next step: the war in store for Reika, it did not dissipate; neither did this new block in the way stand-just none, including any stupid Alpha, standing between her and her revenge. "Prepare my forces," she ordered. "We strike soon. I won't be waiting longer." Finley bowed. "As you wish, my Queen." The elders scattered, leaving her a wide circle as Finley set off to do her bidding; Ariadne turned back to the mirror. She ran her fingers over its surface and watched as visions shifted: reika training, Lleus standing tall among his warriors, the people she had enslaved suffer in silence. A cruel smile contorted on her lips. "Let them tremble" she whispered, "their days are numbered."