"Your majesty, you don't have to do this!" Albaric implored.
The Emperor was already setting off with a look of resolution. Michael was walking along side him and Clover was standing looking back at Albaric who was pleading with wide eyes in disbelief. Clover shrugged with a smile and took off walking as well.
"Damn!" Albaric lamented and started to follow reluctantly.
They started the journey through the red wasteland heading towards the north.
Ahead the Emperor turned to Michael, "Where is this boy that you say is possessed by the moon god?"
"To the North," Michael replied with a short sideward glance.
"Why does the demon not bring us directly there with their magic?" the Emperor demanded.
"If we use Clover's magic, the moon god will know," Michael replied with a sigh.
He had already answered several questions and was growing impatient. Still the Emperor continued with the interrogation.
"And how exactly will bringing me to him expel the demon from him?" The Emperor demanded.
Michael's eyes narrowed, "It won't,"
"Explain," the Emperor commanded.
Michael let out a sigh and stared ahead, "why don't you ask Clover?"
"Because I'm asking you," the Emperor replied shortly, "surely you can answer this much?"
"Surely I can," Michael smiled with irritation, "but your tone annoys me, so I don't feel like it,"
"You used to be a soldier," the Emperor replied icily, "since when do you have time to worry about the tone of how someone speaks? "
"Since I became a free agent," Michael smiled, "I guess I have all this free time now to be 'sensitive', as you put it?"
"I see," the Emperor said with the same tone, "you're resentful," he concluded.
Michael let out an annoyed laugh and shook his head but did not respond.
"And perhaps you will have no other time to vent your anger on me," the Emperor went on, "you are attempting to take retribution in such a petty way."
"Though I am exceedingly petty," Michael turned to him, "You are the least of my concerns. I told you to ask Clover because they know more than I do,"
"Good," The Emperor met his gaze unperturbed, "because I have no apology for you. Nor do I care about your feelings. You kidnapped me. Though I am aiding you for now, if I decide this is some kind of ruse or plot against me, I won't hesitate to kill you."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Michael gave a sarcastic bow and kept walking.
"Ah, just ignore him," Clover smiled, approaching the Emperor, "what did you want to know?"
The look in the Emperor's gaze became decidedly cold, "nothing," he said and turned away at once.
"I see he still hates me," Clover remarked as Albaric caught up.
"Probably more now," Albaric let out a laugh."But what do you care, Clover?"
"I don't," Clover said quietly as they continued walking, "I don't care at all,"
"Right," Albaric nodded, "well, if you explain the plan to me, I can explain it to him. Hurry before Michael and him actually start fighting for real,"
"You think the Emperor would actually get into a fist fight with Michael?" Clover scoffed.
"He used to have a pretty bad temper as kid," Albaric whispered, "though he tries not to show it,"
"Who do you think would win?" Clover whispered back.
"Hmm, that's a hard one," Albaric mused, "Keitel's sword skills are on par with mine, but Michael's magic ... I still think the Emperor though,"
"Really?" Clover glanced ahead, "I would have thought Michael,"
"You know we can hear you right?" Michael called back without looking.
"Oh? Really?" Clover grinned, "in that case, i'll answer someone's question and if they happen to hear me, that would be great,"
"I can hear you," the Emperor replied with a sigh.
"Right, then," Clover cleared their throat, "So, my theory is that the demon god uses people's own magic to control them."
"So Ace's is being controlled by the moon god?" Albaric asked.
"It's not that simple," Clover answered, "he's still there but the moon god is able to confuse people. He uses their pain to make them do what he wants."
"So essentially," the Emperor said apathetically, "the boy chooses what he does,"
"Ace," Clover replied sharply, "is not in control anymore. Of that I'm sure."
"Are you sure you're not just saying that because you're in love with him?" the Emperor turned back with astute glare.
"When did I say I was in love with him?" Clover blinked slowly.
"It's obvious," the Emperor returned.
"What I feel is irrelevant," Clover said flatly, "my point is that he's still there. If we can reach him, there's a chance we can break the connection,"
"How will we do that?" Albaric followed quickly.
"We have to attack on two fronts," Clover said in a subdued voice, "We know how to reach Ace. The problem is the moon god. He's still tied to the demon world by the Empress' magic. That's where you come in, Keitel,"
The Emperor's eyes narrowed, "I just need to touch him?"
"Yes, connect with his magic. It should be linked to the moon god now. Then you'll need to try and reach the Empress, but you won't have long. If any part of her soul still remains here, she should be able to call the moon god back to his domain. When that happens, it might be enough to break the spell."
"It might?" the Emperor frowned, "So you don't actually know if this will work?"
"I'm hoping it will,"
"For your sake, it had better." With that the Emperor marched ahead without looking back again.
The group reached a valley pass and as they continued walking inline with the high cliff face, a loud cry was head above. Albaric glanced up ahead at the dark clouds and boiling red sun. It seemed to always be there but it provided barely any warmth or light. He felt chills at just the sight of it.
They approached the northern border, coming out of the dry gorge and emerged under the shadow of the cliff face. At that moment, there was another louder cry over head. This time, shadows began to spiral above. Within moments, they were beset upon by winged beasts.
Michael looked up and was about to deal with them, when suddenly a crack of thunder caught the whole flock. The blue lightning sizzled the beast in one go. They all fell to the ground dead. Micahel looked back with a smirk seeing the Emperor's hand to the sky.
"So you do remember some magic then?" He said smugly.
The Emperor shrugged and kept walking indifferently past the charred beasts at his feet. The rest followed. By nightfall they had made camp. The light of the fire cast a warm glow over the faces surrounding it. Nevertheless it was quiet. Although there had been some attempt to rally the group, the truth was each was feeling a weight that swallowed up any attempt to speak.
The next few days and nights passed the same way. Without the lizards to cross the desert or Clover's magic it took three days before they first laid eyes on the palace of cups. It stood a pale shade of blue shining almost ethereally under the red sun. It had a different aura than the other palaces, almost sacred.
The approach was also different from the other palaces. The demons weren't relegated to the shadows as usual. As the group walked through the gates into the courtyard, they were met by a line of demons dressed white. None of them made an attempt to prevent them, only watching with silent hostile reproach.
They reach the doors of the throne. To their surprise, they were shown inside. The room was cast in a flood of umber light, far brighter than any other palace. The pale of glow of the hourglasses greeted them on either side of the aisle leading up to the throne. They walked up the length of the hall till they were under the eyes of the lord of cups.
Ace was leaning back on the throne with an indifferent gaze. His black hair was pulled back and showed his features more than usual. His dark eyes were ever slightly darkened by circles under the eyes but otherwise his olive skin was as smooth and effortlessly clean shaven as usual. He was dressed uncharacteristically all in white. A button down shirt cut cleanly around his muscles as he sat very still. Even as they reached the foot of the throne, he gave no reaction.
"Ace?" Clover said quietly.
Finally, there was a flicker of recognition as his eyes came down slowly. His lips parted but closed without answering. He tilted his head back glaring down hostilely. His eyes went from Clover to the rest of the group. At last, his eyes came to the Emperor and he smiled.
"Ace," Albaric started, "I know you told us to go but..."
"I know why you're here," Ace interrupted. He pulled back his shirt slightly revealing the necklace around his throat.