Song recommendation: "Something I might regret" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoK5BjlmGBY)
Clover titled their head back with a smirk. Albaric glanced over apprehensively. He couldn't hear what Michael said but a familiar twinkle of mischief came into Clover's eyes.
"What are you..." Albaric started.
Clover suddenly burst forward and flew past Albaric and Rena. They held up their hand and a portal opened. However, they weren't done. They dashed past the minister of defence till they were at the foot of the throne.
"Oh gods no!" Albaric rushed after them.
He didn't get far, at that moment he was hit with a splash of water that cast the entire throne room asunder. Albaric was hit directly and went flying. He felt completely cold all over. He hit the ground and for a moment he thought he had been submerged by the water. Instead he was staring out a dry red desert.
He turned around madly staring back completely at a loss.
Michael titled his head back grinning darkly. His blade was drawn. Presently, it was resting upon the Emperor's throat. Michael broke into a loud unrestrained laugh upon seeing Albaric's look of disbelief. Albaric's eyes quickly took in the rest of the scene.
Beyond them, Clover clicked their fingers and the portal closed. The red expanse of the waste land flared into view like a flame burning under black clouds. The desert beasts hallowed desperately beyond the horizon. Albaric inhaled rapidly.
"What the fuck have you done?" He breathed.
Clover smiled, "Well, we needed more time right," they shrugged. "Now we have it,"
Albaric shook his head almost convulsing, "your majesty," he started
"Save it, Albaric," Michael interrupted, "he only cares about results right? Let's go get him some results,"
The Emperor's expression remained unchanged. He glanced side-wardly at Michael with dark eyes.
"You really are fool," the Emperor stated in a low voice, "Unless you intend to keep me here for the rest of your life, you will never set foot in the Empire ever again,"
"I'm sick of the Empire," Michael smirked, "i'm thinking of heading up north where the people are bit more hospitable,"
Albaric came to his feet with a start glaring at Michael wildly, "drop your sword!" he spat.
"Calm down, Albaric," Michael titled his head back smugly, "It's all part of the plan,"
"What plan?!" Albaric exclaimed, "You've lost your mind...."
Michael thrust the sword at Albaric, "Oh, you just realised?"
Albaric immediately went to draw his sword. However, Clover was too quick. They got the blade and threw it across the desert.
"Just listen," Clover said quietly.
"Your majesty," Albaric turned back to the Emperor, ignoring them, " I didn't know they were planning this. I will free you at once!"
He pivoted swiftly to chase after the swords but Clover intervened once more. At that moment, Albaric's fist came up furiously but Clover simply titled their head to one side.
Clover threw up their hands with a laugh and stepped back, "you deal with this," they said to Michael, "I've had enough holy magic for a lifetime,"
Albaric grabbed his blade and flew at Michael. At that moment, Michael pressed the blade sharply to the Emperor's neck drawing blood. Albaric halted at once.
"Michael," he exhaled, "don't do this,"
"I'm not going to do anything if you calm yourself," Michael returned, "but please give me a reason. Maybe if you keep this up long enough, my hand might get tired and i'll accidentally slit his throat,"
Albaric stared wide-eyed in utter shock. It was then, the Emperor let out a chuckle. Michael and Clover stared at him wearily.
"What's so funny?" Clover smiled.
"That day, all those years ago, I should have just killed you," the Emperor said with cruel smile, "Clover, you are the fucking bane of my existence. Of everyone's existence. If there are any gods, I pray they kill you, you filthy beast,"
"Keitel," Michael said mockingly, "Are you sure that's what you want to be saying to Clover right now?"
"Here," Clover stepped towards him and gestured around, "your life depends on me,"
"Clover's magic is the only thing that will prevent you from going the way of the sky dragon or turning into that thing which you despise most in the world,"Michael added.
"If it's any consolation," Clover gave a wide-smile. " I'm not that found of you either, but desperate circumstance call for. desperate measures,"
The Emperor made no reply. He just stared ahead coldly with a look of utter contempt.
"This is crazy!" Albaric implored, "Michael, please! See reason! This is insane. What you are doing is wrong! This isn't like you. You don't do things like this. Come on, you must know this will only end in bloodshed,"
"Albaric!" Michael snapped, "he may have been your friend as a child, but he was going to let the court crucify us. He's the one who had been pulling the strings all along. What difference does it make if we do this or rot in a prison for the rest of our lives? You think he can even imagine what it's like for us who had to fight and die while he sits in his white fucking palace? At least this way, he gets what's coming to him!"
"That is not Keitel's fault! It's the court. They are the ones who have been trying to edge us out. Ketiel has nothing but defend us!" Albaric yelled.
"HE's the fucking EMPEREOR!" Michael screamed back, "you think any of that happens without him knowing?"
"You can't do this," Albaric shook his head, "This is too far. Even for you..."
"It's okay, Albaric," the Emperor stated coolly. He turned his gaze to Michael, "If you thought I would beg and plead for mercy, you are mistaken. Let me die,"
"Your majesty!" Albaric exclaimed.
"I would rather die than condescend to the likes of you,"the Emperor added with complete indifference..
"Actually, " Clover sighed, "that's exactly what I thought you would say, but maybe you should hear us out before you decide on your own execution?"
"Say what you like," the Emperor said flatly, "there's nothing you can say that will compel me to help you in any way,"
"Wouldn't you like to see the Empress again?"
A hint of emotion came over the Emperor's face but it quickly suffocated under mounting rage. He glared at Clover and stepped forward even as the blade pressed against him.
"Don't you dare..." he snarled.
"I am serious, Keitel," Clover went on. "I think there might be a way to bring her back. That's why we brought you here,"
"You told me she was dead!" Keitel screamed back with such violence Michael had to pull him back. He glanced at Clover apprehensively.
"That's what I thought," Clover said quietly, "but if he's alive, then maybe she is too,"
"Who's alive?!" the Emperor grabbed Clover wildly, "What are you saying?"
"The one she came to kill," Clover said softly.
The Emperor dropped Clover at once, staring at them with oppressively dark eyes, "impossible," he spat.
"Clover, you don't mean.." Albaric faltered. "The person who you were talking about..."
"I didn't want to tell you until I was certain, but now I am," Clover inhaled deeply. "The god of the moon lives."
The Emperor's cool facade was struck with sheer dismay. "No..." he breathed, "You lie...You LIE!"
"It's true," Michael interceeded, "he has escaped his cage once more and taken over someone else,"
"How?" the Emperor swallowed, "how is it possible?"
"He is a god of rebirth," Clover stated flatly.
The Emperor's eyes widened. He stared at Clover blinking slowly, "you...you knew," he uttered the words shakily. "You knew he couldn't be killed..but you sent her to her death?"
"If I had known, I never would have let her go," Clover said in a subdued voice, "I thought if he had a human body, he could be killed. I don't know how he managed to escape death but somehow it is true,"
"Then where is he now?!" the Emperor spat.
"I don't know exactly," Clover replied, "only that he has attached himself to another,"
"Then we have to kill that person now!" The Emperor exclaimed.
"Killing them will not kill the god of the moon," Clover returned sharply, "we need to destroy the whole demon world, but to do that we need the necklace,"
"Why can't we just burn it to the ground?" The Emperor replied with agitation.
"Even if you burn down everything as far as the eye can see, the demon world will exist and the demon god will rise from the flames," Michael said in subdued voice, "it needs to be destroyed completely,"
"But how?" Albaric enjoined, "we can't get the necklace from Ace now. He won't even listen to us,"
"That's what we need Keitel for," Clover said softly.
The Emperor became quiet. His jaw clenched and his dark blue eyes shone with a fire that had been ignited in years. It cast his eyes in the lightest shade of blue. He turned to Cover unwaveringly.
"Tell me what you need from me,"