The night breeze rolled across the palace courtyard, carrying that strange hush Clockspire always had after sunset. Leonardo stood there, half in shadow, half in moonlight—quiet, distant, like he was listening to something only he could hear.
Klaus broke the silence.
"So… who are you really?"
Leonardo exhaled slowly, like the question had been chasing him for years.
"I am who I am."
Klaus frowned.
"And what are you exactly?"
Leonardo didn't answer. He just started walking, boots tapping against the stone floor. Klaus hurried after him.
Finally, Leonardo spoke, voice low and tired
"In a world where people like you get to live normal, warm, good lives… people like me exist. Monsters hiding in society. Abominations. The black sheep no one wants to admit is real."
His eyes drifted up to the stars, dull and cold.
"Some call us supernatural, some call us gods… but truth is, we're just walking disasters waiting to ruin the universe if we slip even once."
Klaus blinked, unsure if he was joking.
"You're kidding me… right?"
Leonardo lifted his hand.
A soft whoosh echoed as a flame curled to life on his fingertip, burning bright against the darkness.
"I wish."
Klaus's jaw dropped.
"Holy mother of graves…"
A beat of silence.
Then curiosity got the better of him.
"How did you get that power? Or… whatever this is?"
Leonardo didn't speak. He just pulled out the old book—the one he never let anyone touch. Its cover was torn, stained, marked with symbols that looked like they crawled when you weren't looking.
"From them," he said.
"The people in here. They experimented on me. Broke me apart. Took my humanity and replaced it with this… curse."
Klaus's voice softened.
"Are there others like you?"
Leonardo hesitated. His eyes shimmered. Then—just one tear, quick and silent—slipped down his cheek.
"There were."
His voice cracked.
"Until they killed him."
Klaus swallowed.
"So that's why you're in Clockspire?"
Leonardo looked up at the towering palace—its windows glowing like watchful eyes.
"Not exactly."
He closed the book gently.
"I'm here to put the people written inside this book… in their rightful place."
Klaus took a step back.
"Revenge, huh?"
Leonardo nodded.
"Exactly."
Klaus pointed toward the palace gates.
"Then why come here? Why the palace?"
Leonardo's expression darkened.
"Because your king has done a lot of things he doesn't talk about."