Truth

-2 days later-

My wrist hurt as I signed what must have been my hundredth letter. A tap on the table immediately saw the pile vanish, and soon it would be on my account manager's desk.

I stood from a chair made of gold, with far too many inlaid gemstones for my taste.

Picking up a list of ingredients, I double-check to make sure I did not forget anything. Then moving out of a far too indulgent room, I grabbed a gifted gem incrested cloak and made my way out of my son's estate and to the best apothecary in the labyrinth.

The glow of the colossal purplish fungi always cast a strange light in the third level of the labyrinth.

Under my instruction, Kurt was taking Rogue to see the sights. If what they said at breakfast was true, they were making their way to the Kekkai tower.

Looking off in the distance, I could clearly see it from here. A monstrous golden tower that reached from the top of the cavern and went to the lowest levels. Even from hundreds of miles away, I could feel the magical energy being funneled underground.

El Dorado's most mythical creation was a barrier that traversed the globe. There were billions of towers in every corner of the planet, each linked to cast a net that kept innumerable creatures in the lowest levels of the labyrinth at bay.

I informed one of the demonic servants at the gate of my desirer to go to Grave Concoctions. It took some time, but a Bentley Continental T pulled up, and I got in after thanking the driver.

I was not getting enough sleep, but there was just too much work to be done, and I had put this trip off for far too long.

As we drove through bustling streets filled with goblins, wizards, witches, house-elves, and all fashion of magical creatures, my mind turns to my children. The ones currently living were all doing splendidly, even if our connections could be more robust. I would have to write my daughter even if she would burn the letter I had to attempt anyway.

The car stopped suddenly, and it appeared that a container had dropped on someone. Looking up to the top of the cavern, my sight took a moment to get used to the wriggling. Each bat was larger than a shire horse; their movements across the stalactites reminded me of ants.

Unfortunately, I couldn't see where the crates fell from through the sunroof. As Goblins unblocked the road, my chest swelled with pride as my thoughts turned to my sons.

Above any of their achievements, the one thing that I relished most was that their strength was their own. Exceptional warriors and lords, I was sure Sirius would surpass me in power soon. After his family troubles, I feared that he would spiral out of control without fighting a war.

By the time he agreed to the adoption, it had taken dumping a dying village and an abandoned gem mine I was using as a front for my geomancy to get him to take life seriously, three deaths later, and he finally surpassed the challenge.

However, even under veritaserum, I would never state this aloud, but Kurt was my favorite. You could not imagine my rage when I found him barely old enough to walk locked in a cage at a circus freak show near the Latverian southern border.

I had killed over my pride, but that was the first time I had annihilated humans in grief. With firm support and eternal care, he surpassed every expectation.

A pair of giants finally cleared the road, and the driver continued.

I never told them the truth of my origin, preferring to use the position of a Seer to guide them better. I always told them the truth about their past, present, and possible future to make up for this. In the end, this cost me my daughter, but I didn't regret it for a minute.

The truth was sometimes harsh, like when Sirius asked me why I took him in. He did not take comfort knowing he performed the greats act any living creature can in his future.

To die for someone you love.

As for Kurt, when he asked about his parents, I agonized over what to say. After days I finally told him and even cast the tracking spells to find his mother. Whatever she had said to him that day pierced him, and for that, she would externally be my enemy. Even to this day, he was left with a subconscious scar, women, gems, and a constant need to prove to the world his value.

As for his father, that isn't very simple.

As we pulled into a marble build, my driver pulls over and lets me out. A brief stroll with my driver and I make my way into the rear of Grave Concoctions. The driver unwraps a black card from a spider silk package and slides it under the door.

Ten minutes later, and the entrance opens.

We walk within a tight corridor then through a waterfall. The workshop is empty of people, but this shop is mine alone for the next hour for the water hag at the center.

To the left and right of the women are lines and lines of neat, ordered shelves as far as the eye can see. I make my way to the woman sitting under a continuous spray of water and with her pimpled face, sagging breast, and long green tongue; she smiled with rasher sharp teeth.

I returned the smile with one of genuine delight, " Ms. Knuckbones, it's been years too long; how have you been?"

Fixing her thinning hair," Wonderful, I just got a new daughter, lovely thing I am sure that strapping son of yours would love her."

I nod along," I am sure she is lovely, but the boy is running around with a Vela of all things."

By the next day, that account will be all over the capital.

" I could, of course, put in a good word for your daughter if you can help me with this list."

She takes the list, and over the next few minutes, we bargain rates and quantities. It seems she has everything but Jinad hearts, and it would be faster and cheaper to go to India for them.

Once we come to terms, she writes out a ticket.

A door under her opens as 11 young women and a girl quickly step out. Each one looks at me with a defeated heart, all but the new daughter. Promising to talk to Kurt about taking this girl, I smile at them with an empty soul.

I have more significant dilemmas than meddling in every injustice I see, and I require this woman's help. After the daughters look at the note like ghosts, they fly into the maze of shelves; I make small talk as the daughters return shortly.

As I finished placing the last coin on the counter, the daughters' reaction clued me in on our unexpected guess.

Turning around, I recognized Mr.

No, that was rude Director Fury walks in. The Director stop just out of my reach again and give that same mocking smile. The only difference was this time; I understood the joke. I request some privacy from Ms. Knuckbones, and with a small demonstration of power, she leads her daughters below.

" You, know Lord Hagrid, a lot of good men died tried trying to capture you."

Something in me dilated, " Send me their names."

As the Director's fist balled, I continued. "I will be more than happy to make sure their families are well taken care of because of this accident,"

His words were fire as he answered.

"Forty dead men and women and ten with their minds ripped apart, and you call that an accident?"

I drank from my magic as I answer," A tragic accident."

As he steps into my reach, I asked my own question," Tell me, Director Fury, who do you work for?" His answer seemed more reflex than desire," The Strategic homeland intervention, enforcement, and logistics division." Shaking my head, I let some of my anger seep into my voice," No Director with that level of demonic energy with of the lords of the Octessence do you champion?"