Hermes' head still rang with the laughter of the little girl. The sound clung to him like a mosquito buzz he couldn't swat away.
When he told Ymir and Magni what he saw in the maze, silence sat between them like a fourth companion.
Ymir finally broke it. "I knew she was no good."
Hermes rubbed his face. "Well, she wasn't really 'bad' either. You just didn't trust her from the start."
"Why would I?" Ymir's tone was dry as sandpaper. "We're in the 'graveyard of the worst monsters', Potentia. And even though she didn't do any damage, she's still a big fat liar."
Magni frowned. "I would have to agree with his highness. To claim she is your daughter, Brother Modi… that was quite disturbing. But what disturbs me more…"
He tapped his chin "... Was that I have never once heard of this 'Demiurge.' Not once. And I know everyone. From imps scuttling in ditches to the great Primordials themselves. Nothing escapes the ears of a true-born Voidling like me."
