Prologue: The Castle of Venomania
At first glance, one would see a decrepit-looking old building in the near distance, a mottled gray blur against the storm-ridden sky. The wind had taken on a late autumn bite, rattling the thinning branches of naked trees that stood in two single file lines along the dirt path leading to the castle of Venomania.
It was too roommates that found their way up to the castle one cold evening in mid-October. Six years apart and unemployed for the better part of three years, Loly Aivirrne and Menoly Mallia went in search of work. Perhaps this was their vision, but in the impending darkness, their minds began to run a little wild.
"He's probably just some creepy old man," grumbled Menoly, kicking at apiece of gravel in the road. "Honestly, this place is completely messed up; who would even live here?"
"Someone really rich," Loly promised her. The wind had skewed her dark raven hair, and she impatiently patted it back into place. "Even if he is old and creepy, if he's got money, then this is all worth it."
"I'm not gonna do stuff for an old guy, you got that?" Menoly curled her lip in disgust. "Maybe that's your thing, but it's not mine."
"Shut your yap and quit complaining!" Loly growled. "If you wanna go back to sleeping on dumpsters every night, then be my guest!"
A sulky look appeared in Menoly's eyes. "I really don't think this is a good idea, Loly. Can we please leave? We'll find work somewhere else."
"There is nowhere else!" Loly snapped, her patience starting to wear thin. "Like I said, go back if you really want to! I'm sick of living like a rat on the streets!"
Menoly fell quiet, but it was an uncomfortable silence as she observed the castle. which was steadily growing larger.
As if on cue, it began to rain.