Sanctuary II

The 'day' was coming to an end in Sanctuary, Varla was set to make an appearance on the main TV station, and was backstage, doing her own make up. Bartholme was stood guard outside her dressing room door. She was 30 minutes late, but none of the staff dared to let her know.

When she was ready, she exited the room, in a red and black dress, and headed to the main stage where the presenter was waiting. As she walked out into the spotlight, the audience clapped, she stared with disgust at them as she took a seat.

"Good evening, your Radiance, we're pleased you could join us here on Good Evening, Sanctuary. How are you feeling tonight?" The presenter asked.

"I'm angry, Lenyrd. Very angry" She stated blankly.

"I hope not at me!" Lenyrd joked. Varla smiled slightly and nodded.

"No, you're not in the firing line tonight, Len" Varla replied, before standing up.

"Instead, I'm disappointed in you" Varla said as she pointed across the audience and into the camera, the audience stayed silent as Varla scowled.

"What have the citizens of Sanctuary done to displease you, your Radiance?" Lenyrd asked.

"I'm glad you asked" Varla nodded, as she stared into the camera, the ocean blue eye shadow betraying her deep dark stare. "I came to this city a year ago today. At every turn I have found the citizens of this city rejecting my kindness, even former citizens of the failed Araneian Empire. It disgusts me" She began, as she strolled back and forth on the stage.

"I came to this city and I brought you light. If you truly do not want me here, I can leave you all in the dark, and let the creatures of the darkness take care of you. If that is what you wish" She continued.

"I don't want that, your Radiance" Lenyrd nodded in respect, Varla nodding hers back.

"Neither do I. So instead of leaving, I thought I would show you all what happens to 'rebels' who take up arms against the might of the Varlan Empire" Varla concluded. As she finished her speech, Bartholme walked onto the stage, with a handcuffed man in a resistance outfit, he had a bag over his head.

Bartholme threw him to the floor, before pulling him up to his knees by the collar of his outfit, when the person was on their knees, Bartholme pulled the bag from his head.

"Meet Helios. The former Headteacher of the failure of an Imperial Academy. He turned on his home to support the crooked regime that the Luna family had over this city" Varla explained.

"They founded it, you bitch" Helios said in a croaky voice. Varla turned around and slapped him. By this point, Lenyrd had exited the stage. A few audience members had motioned to leave, but noticed troopers standing by the exits.

"They ran this city to the ground, now keep themselves safe in their laboratory. Leaving you all out here to face the consequences of their actions" Varla said, as she looked back at the camera.

"Abyssia will kill you, you do know that, right?" Helios asked. Unbeknownst to Helios, he had just given Varla the perfect ammunition.

"Did you hear that citizens? Helios himself confirmed here live on this show that he is part of the CULT that doomed this city to darkness!" Varla announced theatrically. "You know what we do to cultists, don't you, Helios?" Varla cruelly taunted, as Bartholme handed her a pistol.

"DON'T REACT TO THIS ROISIN, IT'S A TR..." Helios began yelling before a bang echoed throughout the studio. Blood splattered onto the backdrop as Helios fell lifelessly to the floor.

"But the show isn't over yet, folks!" Varla danced toward the camera and spun in around. Screams echoed throughout the studio as the troopers unloaded their guns into the audience, as Varla manically danced before the horrific scene.

After the shooting stopped, Varla solemnly approached the camera and smiled.

"Don't screw with us and this will never happen again" She said solemnly. The broadcast ended and Varla left the studio.

That night, Varla got home and undressed, she tossed the dress into the fire and headed to the shower, washing herself thoroughly. She then brushed her teeth in the same method she had that morning, humming to the classical music she had playing.

Varla then headed to her bed and laid down, as the music lulled her to sleep within seconds.