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An aged man sits in almost complete darkness. The only light being a magical glowing orb overhead, but even that is sparsely lit. He sits on a chair a size too small for him and with a cloud of sweat that hung his body.
His conscience is stirred awake and along with a new feeling. It was fear and bewilderment. A while ago he had been a rather wealthy man on his way to see a rather profitable business venture. His carriage had been stopped, somehow, overtaken and then nothing. He had awoken in an almost pitch-black room.
"About time you woke up, sleepyhead." The words felt innocent enough, but the voice was gargled and unclear. It pitch would rise or drop at certain pronunciations.
Even still, all that did not hide the slight danger in its mood.
"There's so much to discussed between us. Now, don't rush. We have all day. Ha, even weeks." It almost sounded thrilled at the idea.
Then the man noticed movement. Not far in front of him a shadow moved closer.
"No! No!! Stay back!! I'll give you whatever you want, just let me go!!"
In response laughter burst out of the walls. It felt as if it was everywhere as the silhouette got nearer.
~
A week had passed as Outis settled into the new living space. The dusty house was now a place of experimentation, mixing of potions, and as well as a backdoor pharmaceutical. It wouldn't be long before he would have customers and then funding. At the moment he was exploring the capital, avoiding crowds, and sticking to the walls.
Another reason he kept hidden was the nauseating smell of jollity that netzines spew about thoughtlessly, like fattened up pigs. At times the rat-of-a-priest could be heard calling many in prayers with their sniveling mouths of theirs. The sneer that appeared on his face had grown the moment he had felt that he wouldn't have to look at them for long. However, alas, he still would have to interact with their snot-level selves to some level.
Today, though, felt a bit more restless than usual. There were mumblings of a kidnapped count who has been missing for a week stirring at the lips of fidgety maidens. This news did nothing to Outis but incite a deeper sense of loathing to the people of the Einshire empire. Hundreds of people disappear from the streets every day, but no one batted their eyes at that, neither did they at the poor or the slump children just outside their mental scope.
With tight lips he held his disgust and continue his venture through the maze-like city. He noted the purposefulness of the design was to easily confuse ignorant tourists or as a way to slip by unnoticed. Although he had spent most of his days traversing the countryside, he had spent enough time in similar cities to understand their foundations. No two cities are ever built differently. He scoffed inwardly at this. It meant they were all the same, never changing loathsome people.
There it stood. Almost centralized in the heart of Derrien. A structure of humbled grandiose yet cold stony malice. The Church of Vi stood towering over the buildings surrounding it, swallowing up the attention of all those who walked by as they would say a silent prayer before quickly walking by. Yes, indeed they were all the same.
~
CLACK
The castle door shut behind him with the huffed as it eagerly trying to push out the callous winds. Inside the candle lit halls produced their own kind of frigidness. The servants with their ashen and trembling expressions were all enough to feel the social hierarchy. It was the same with everyone that wasn't noble or hold some militaristic position.
A servant girl had come to take off his cloak before visibly shrinking away. Soon another came to guide him to the dining halls, knocking first before hearing a muffled 'come in' and hurriedly disappear. The king was already akin to his usual seat closest to the blazing fireplace, cutting into his meaty dinner.
Nastius stopped and recited his post, "First Prince and lieutenant Ignastius Kaimi Wolfang of Ignasualt greets King and Brigadier General Crux Rolfphendite Wolfang of Ingasualt."
It was tedious but set a good reminder of what the King taught of him, of what was expected of him.
The King hum in response before waving for him to sit down.
"Thank you. May I have this meal." Every word made him feel like taking out his pocketknife and stabbing it into his hands.
Again, he hummed in satisfaction and Nastius reached for a glass, swishing the liquid inside in contemplation. It wouldn't be the first time he would be tested on his ability to detect poison.
"Don't fret. It safe." His words were of grainy agony to Nastius.
At times he wished he would choke on his own spit and die but sadly the world was a cruel bastard.
"Tell me about our little situation."
That would be the most he would get of him. Short phrases which were a blessing to him because it that he wouldn't get to hear him for long. The King normally wouldn't even invite him to sit, nonetheless eat with him. That why the getup was rather unusual.
"There's more than usual. Faster and stronger..."
A displeased grunt was all he heard back. Nastius held his breath before continuing.
"We need outside help. Mercenaries, greedy enough to look the other way but can still get the job done."
CLASH
The plates were thrown into the walls. Nastius looked to the King, his scarred face and angry look of a pissed off predator.
"ARE YOU SAYING I CAN'T DEAL WITH A COUPLE OF FUKING MUTANTS AND SHOULD GO BEG FOR HELP FROM SOME LOW DOWN, DIRTY MERCANARIES!!"
It was really just a headache. When he was younger, just an inflection in his tone would almost wet his pants. However, now he saw right through the monster.
"Your soldiers are dying, and their only replacements are either aren't old enough to hold a sword, old men or feeble women. You need a quick and unscrupulous solution. We will get rid of chatterboxes and keep the news from prying ears."
SLAM
The King looked at him with disgust, "DO NOT TALK DOWN TO ME!! If your body weren't so weak then maybe, you would've gotten the blessing of the goddess but if wasn't for that bitch of your mother and her side of her family then things would be different!!"
He really had to hold his anger on this one.
After some more nonsensical spewing the King had calmed down enough to finally sit back down. There was some eerie silence as Nastius waited.
"Fine. Do it but take care of any accidents." It wasn't long before he stood up again and push open the doors with great force, knocking any unsuspecting servants down in the process.
"COME CLEAN THIS MESS!!" A last shout and he was gone.
Nastius closed his eyes as a flurry of servants enter the room and do away of any signs of the previous incident and when he finally opened his eyes, they were gone. To be alone in an empty room was not a strange feat to him and he dug into his now cold meal.
~
"Frederick. You know there's no one who knows the true meaning of lavishness like I do." Sebastian was sprawled out a comfortable sofa.
"No, I'm sure no one truly ever will. Tragic." His knight tone dripped with sarcasm as he stood near, watching the display of total laziness.
A yawn sounded through the air, along with a slurred warning, "Just so you knoOW I am still a Prince, and I would not stand for you speaking that way to me...but I will stand you getting me a nice drink."
Sebastian chuckle at the drawn-out sigh he got from his knight. He was lock in the room with someone to watch over him. They wouldn't let him out on this oh so auspicious day. They, being, his parents, well, more like a subspecies of the word parent. Never had they care about him a day in his life. Too tired to brew in feelings, he thought aimlessly about random things, enjoying the silence.
A soft knock woke him from the arms of gentle sleep.
"Your clothes are ready, your highness."
"Come in." A peak of fear run through him as he slowly got up.
He hated this day with all his might.
The maids came in with new clothes and toiletries. They would go through the ritual of cleaning and bathing him, some giving him not so innocent glance which he would just smirk and wink back at them. In the end they left in a fit of giggles and he would turn back dawning a pale face.
"Be brave, your highness. It won't be long." Frederick tried his best at reassurance but this time it wouldn't be enough.
Down the back halls, through a narrow entrance. Leave behind all personal items. It was instructions for an entrance to a hidden room. It was where all these daily meetings with the church took place.
"Now don't miss me too much." He tried to make it sound optimistic but honestly, he couldn't kid himself at how desperate it came out.
Frederick only gave him a sad loopy smile before he could open the doors into a dark corridor. A soft click sealed his fate as he walked towards the light near the end. Soft chuckles and laughter bounced off the close walls. The light grew brighter as he was met with another door. Hesitantly he opened it to reveal the King and Queen Lascivae.
His mother was lavishly dressed as always, adorned with the finest jewels and clothing that insinuate her...everything. His father was finely dressed as well and busy flattering the guests.
"There you are. You're late. Greet our humble guests." His mother put on a sickening sweet voice.
"Of course, I had to look my purest for our special guests." That put the whole room in a fit of laughter.
Truly this was the way he preferred it. It was better to be a laughingstock than to be dead.
"That's too bad indeed." One of the frequent visitors had sneaked up on him as usual.
Sebastian could only see the snake-like smile of his from under their heavy white veils. The serpent of a man would run his fingers through his long hair before sniffing it. A sight he repulsed at.
"You look just like your mother with this beautiful sky-blue hair." He practically inhaled some.
"I hear that from women all the time." He smirked and tried to ignore the uncomfortable feeling.
Visible anger could be felt from the priest at his words, but he was soon distracted by the Queen wanton cries.
"I am right here deary." She slyly undid one front button in her dress.
"Starting off strong as always honey." The King too was quick to undo something on himself.
Sebastian could feel bile making his way up his throat. He should exit sooner than later.
"Well, it was an honor meeting member of the church. Thank you for putting in time for us." He turned to the room of nine people and bowed.
As his head rose up again, he caught a glint of vulgarness in their eyes underneath the whiteness of their veils. They were looking through him like some delectable meal.
"Oh, yes. The honor is all ours." Sebastian almost forgot the creep that was still next to him.
A chorus of agreement rose through the room. It was starting to get suffocating and he almost rushed to leap out of the room, but he kept it calm.
"Surely you won't be joining us?" He almost lurched at the fakeness of his mother. She didn't want him here and his father already had one of church disciple on his lap, disrobing them.
With his back already turned he answered, "Whatever do you mean, mother?"
Yet again, another round of laughter. His hands were already on the doorknob when he heard the soft thud of heavy clothing. Then he closed the first door at the sound of scandalous whispers. At first his feet were fairly paced but then quicken at the disgusting sound of sloshing. Sebastian covered his ears as he ran down the corridor, not wanting to hear any more of the nauseating ritual.
Once passed the second door he spotted Frederick who already had a bucket waiting for him. Hurriedly he grabbed it before puking into it. After some coughing fit, it felt as if his stomach was back to normal. Frederick had not said anything and for that he was eternally grateful. Sebastian stared back at the door which he came from before slamming it shut.
He was sure no one on the other side would have noticed the noise. An exhausted sigh from left his lips as he slipped down on the adjacent wall, softly panting and wiping the small sweat off his skin. A sigh escapes him as he looked blankly ahead.
"One day I'm going to fall in love. Like really fall in love. Deeply and I hope they will love me just as much but even if isn't, I'll be okay with just a little." He broke the silence.
Frederick sat next to him.
"I know you will."
Sebastian huffed a bit before slouching on him.
"I will get marry one day and live far away on an island full of love."
At that Frederick chuckle but otherwise said nothing.
One day he was going to get marry. One day soon.
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