They say there are specifics, but unfortunately, as a nonbeliever... [They are disinclined to acquiesce to any requests to read said specifics.] Well. Detailed or otherwise, they haven't yet found the one they're waiting for.

You're right that their last choice didn't fulfill their grand design. He was a stranger, someone nobody knew, who arrived at the necromancer temple and immediately surpassed all of their wildest dreams. His name was, aptly enough, Lord Vile.

[There's no indication to Skulduggery's tone to imply he's speaking of anything other than ancient history. Saying the name aloud doesn't worsen the faint ache in his head, and at least for now, Lord Vile is just a creature from ancient nightmares.]

This happened during the height of the War. The necromancers had withdrawn from the fight entirely, and they took this... creature in, hoping he might be the one to initiate the Passage. His power was unrivaled. He was practically unstoppable. [Skulduggery pauses. He's still fine, so he continues,] And before they could even begin to explain their grand plans for him, Lord Vile left the necromancers and joined the enemy. Taking all of his powerful necromancy straight to Mevolent.