"My best friend, come!"
Out of instinct, Joaquin raised his head weakly to see the person entering the scene. As soon as he did, his heart stopped momentarily. The emperor was growling like a dog, his eyes brooding on him.
"No... arf! Arf! Arf! Arf!" Joaquin barked in defense, regaining his strength to crawl back. He shook his head the closer the emperor was, but then stopped when he felt Abel's gaze on his back.
"Why are you so scared, Joaquin?" Abel tilted his head to the side, a misplaced genuine wonder in his eyes. "You won't die. I specifically made sure you won't die so easily."
"Arf!" Joaquin ground his teeth at Abel, still on his knees with his palms on the floor. "How dare you...!"
Abel snorted, walking towards the previous emperor. He hooked his arms across the previous emperor's shoulder as if they were close friends, standing before Joaquin.
