The two women approached the Head Whisperer's office. Unsure whether he would be in, so they decided to knock.
That's when Elise's hand touched something slimy. The door was coated in what the women hoped was... actually, they couldn't think of a single thing they hoped this slime was. The off-putting smell was not evident, and it coated the elf's hand.
Yet, this attempt at knocking achieved the result they hoped for.
"Ha! I knew that new security system would keep you, hooligans, out!" The Head Whisperer threw the door open, and it slammed into the wall, falling from its hinges. "Oh! Chosen One, um... what was your name again... Ah! Ester!"
"Elise!"
"Yes. Yes." He waved his hands dismissively. "Do you like the milk on the door? It's good for the skin. Did you know that if you bathe in milk at least three times a day, it prevents you from ageing?"
Elise was absolutely bewildered.
"No, um... I didn't, Head Whisperer."
"Yes, it's very important. I can have someone coat your door in milk, too, if you'd like."
"What purpose does that serve?" Elise asked.
"If it's good for the skin, it's good for doors. Simple logic, really."
"Okay... but why is it sticky?" Gwyn asked.
His expression turned to stone.
"You don't want to know."
The two women briefly considered retreating and asking someone else, but then the Head Whisperer erupted.
"I heard you two clonking up the stairs. I thought you were trying to get me to buy a lifetime supply of lotion."
Gwyn blinked, unsure of what to say.
"Right. Um… definitely not that."
"What would you possibly be here for then? You know… You're interrupting their feeding session!"
Elise was serious now, staring intensely into his eyes.
"Sorry, Head Whisperer. It's an emergency."
The Head Whisperer seemed as though a man possessed by a much more normal man, if only briefly.
"Yes. Come in."
Gwyn even picked up on the tone of his speech, which was now different. His gate was more controlled, and he almost acted like a normal person.
The Chosen One tugged on Elise's robe.
"Did you?"
Elise nodded.
They entered the Head Whisperer's office. Hundreds of animals were eating and playing together, much as during Gwyn's earlier visit.
The Head Whisperer was dignified and composed.
"What troubles you, Young Sylvian?"
Elise pulled Gwyn forward in front of the desk.
"Our Chosen One is seeing things."
The Head Whisperer sat with his hands folded. He looked imposing, despite his old age.
"What kind of things?"
Elise looked towards Gwyn, for she didn't know. The woman hadn't told her, or anyone, yet.
"It's fine, I'm sure it's just some sort of side effect of um…" Gwyn looked around the room for a worthy excuse. "A… lizard's bite from The Wilds."
The Head Whisperer nodded.
"That happens to me all the time." He nearly flung himself over the desk. "I can't get Jerry here—"
Jerry, to Gwyn, was the size of a small dog, but was hideous. What almost appeared to be barnacles covered its face.
"—to suckle from his papa!"
The Head Whisperer lifted his robe. Revealing his sagging old man chest, where he pushed this… thing… to his breast.
Elise buried her hand in her face.
"Gods."
"Why is he…"
"Weird again?"
Gwyn nodded. Both women watched as he tried to nurture this ugly creature.
"I don't know why he became like this. He was normal before you arrived."
"So you're blaming this on me?"
"Not you personally, but your summoning, yes."
The Head Whisperer was suddenly next to Gwyn.
"Don't worry, I blame you as well."
Gwyn jumped.
"Ah! Stop doing that... and stop trying to breastfeed that... weird... rat... fish... dog... whatever the fuck that is."
The Head Whisperer was openly weeping as Jerry was attached to his breast.
"But he loves Papa's milk!"
Gwyn turned away from him to Elise.
"Why are we even here any—"
The man in black armor stood right behind Elise, dwarfing the unaware elf. His eyes bore into Gwyn's soul. For the first time, Gwyn saw the Red Death. The animal farm suddenly smelled like a home-cooked meal.
A never-ending fire then swallowed the room, and Gwyn collapsed.
Elise rushed to her side.
"This is why we are here!"
The Head Whisperer dropped Jerry.
"Oh, so we are break dancing now!"
He tried to do the splits, but fell over instead.
Elise used healing magic on Gwyn, to no effect. Blood dripped from the princess's nose.
Moments later, Gwyn regained consciousness. She was covered in sweat. Her breathing was labored.
"What happened?"
"You passed out... this is getting worse. Head Whisperer, pay attention and stop feeding that bug over there."
"But if he doesn't get fed, he will get very cranky."
He then kissed the spider-like creature.
"Ugh!"
Elise ran over to the Head Whisperer and grabbed him by the shoulders. She stared deeply into his eyes, and his posture suddenly stiffened.
"I've probably have him normal for a few minutes. Gwyn, has anything happened that caused you to start passing out?"
Gwyn thought of the locket. She then thought of the message.
The elves can't be trusted.
"I..."
"I-34! Bingo! Look, Jerry, I got bingo! Are you ready to suckle on your papas' teat now?"
Elise exhaled, kneeling next to Gwyn.
"I can't help you if you won't tell me what's wrong."
"It's something really bad."
"You can tell me anything, Gwynevere."
"You can also tell Jerry anything."
The Head Whisperer held the weird rat dog in front of Gwyn. Jerry panted heavily. Its breath smelled surprisingly pleasant.
The King of Terror was their mortal enemy... if she told them she was seeing him everywhere...
Would they consider that collusion? Would they kill me where I stand? Would Elise tell her dad and...
Gwyn began to spiral, the thought of everything falling apart so quickly.
Why did I open up that locket?
"The locket..."
"The locket...?"
"The prophalactyic?"
The Head Whisperer asked excitedly.
"I opened it and now... I'm seeing things..."
Elise looked like she was about to throw up.
"Seeing what, Gwynevere?"
A voice erupted from deep within Gwyn; it was not her own. It was ethereal, dark and demanding.
It was the King of Terror's voice.
"The one whom you fear the most, Sylvian Princess."