A Play That Shouldn't Exist

William's mind snapped back to something Calcifer had mentioned before they entered the maze.

The God of Prophecy and Dreams.

Could this troupe be tied to Him?

William asked cautiously, "You know them?"

The Black Swan, now speaking through Sofia, showed the first real emotion William had ever seen from her, a flash of pure disgust.

"They stage tragedies… and create them. They deserve to be erased."

Her voice was calm, but the chilling intensity behind it made even William uneasy.

At that moment, Metatron added, "There's a circus in Border Town. I once overheard a performer talk about the Scarlet Troupe. They said it was terrifying… but no one knows much about them."

The Black Swan let out a sharp, contemptuous laugh.

"Humans don't understand. But we witches do. Those puppets should be hanging in the night sky."

Her voice turned bitter.