A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means not been proofread yet nor edited.
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King Liorei went out first and offered his hand to his daughter. The Princess accepted his hand and hopped out the carriage. He gave her a small smile.
"Let's go inside, Dad. I can't wait to see Selene!"
So, they did.
The knights and servants bowed their hands to the royalties and only lifted their heads when they passed them by. Mila is waiting for them by the main entrance, and bowed to pay her respects.
"Good morning, Your Majesty and Her Highness. We've been expecting your arrival. We are glad you made it to our humble empire safe and sound. Please, allow me to escort you to them."
"Dad, let's go separate ways. I'll go find Selene, go meet Wattsy," the Princess said.
"Are you sure?" the King worried and his daughter nodded happily, "Then, be careful on your way. Take your time. Bid your farewell to her."
It made the Princess sad, weakening her smile.
"Yes. Thank you." She gave him a kiss on his cheek before flouncing her way to wherever her twin sister may be.
Mila brought the King to the Emperor-to-be's workplace. He's the last person they've been waiting for. He didn't bother looking at any of them but Watts Xirquit who's going his way to meet him halfway.
"Your Majesty. Thank you for coming."
They hugged like a father and son. Voltage Xirquit snorted, While Ohms Xirquit is spinning a pen in his fingers. He spin the pen faster when they hugged; his stares sharpened.
"So, are we going to begin?" asked the Emperor-to-be who's in his chair. Duke Paris is sitting on his table, while Franchetti Xerene, Ohms Xirquit, and Voltage Xirquit are sitting on the same couch.
"No, we're moving to my office," said Watts Xirquit. He summoned a door, walked to twist its knob, then pushed it open.
"Please get inside. My office is much safer, secure, and more private. I do not trust the walls of this room enough. I meant no offense, Your Majesty Claxiord."
Emperor-to-be Claxiord pushed himself up and nodded, "I do not mind. I like the idea. I'm curious about how this mysterious office of yours looks like."
"Is that the dimensional room Mom and Dad gave you?" Asked Ohms Xirquit as he sashay his way inside.
They expected it to be grand and extravagant, only to be betrayed by their own expectations when they saw how simple and minimalistic his office actually is.
In the vast expanse of dimensional outer space, nestled within the embrace of the universe, lies his minimalist yet sophisticated study room. Its dome-shaped structure provides a sense of openness and connection to the cosmic surroundings, with the universe itself serving as a mesmerizing backdrop.
At the heart of the room stands a sleek living area, adorned with contemporary furnishings and plush seating arrangements. The ambiance is one of tranquility and contemplation, ideal for delving into the mysteries of magic and lore.
Surrounding the central living space were six portals, three on each side, each shimmering with otherworldly energy and colors and purpose. These portals serve as gateways to different spaces; connected below the dome.
Positioned near the glass walls, overlooking the cosmic vista, is his main table. From there, he conducts his research, studies, and all paper works that are aligned to his interests.
To the right of the main table lies the kitchen area, equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and adorned with celestial accents, while on the left side of the room sits a cozy fireplace, its flames dancing with ethereal light. It serves as a place of warmth and comfort, where he can unwind after a long day of studying, testing, and creating.
"Your office is so simple. But damn! This is awesome! We're outside Cosmo-Vale! It's the universe!" Duke Paris exclaimed in awe as he look up and turn around.
The universe stretches out endlessly beyond the transparent dome; its vastness both magnificent and humbling. Countless stars twinkle in the cosmic expanse, forming intricate patterns that dance across the night sky. Nebulae swirl with vibrant hues of blue, pink, and purple, like celestial paintings brushed onto the canvas of space.1Clusters of galaxies drift lazily by, their spiral arms weaving intricate tapestries of light and shadow. Planets of all shapes and sizes orbit distant suns, each one a world unto itself, shrouded in mystery and intrigue.1Streams of cosmic dust and gas meander through the void, tracing invisible paths across the heavens. Supernovae flare in spectacular displays of light and energy, casting their brilliance across the celestial stage.
The humbled Watts Xirquit smiled shyly as he clean the mess on his table.
"This is from Mom and Dad. They gave it to me when I turn of age. I'd say this is one of my two most treasured possession so far,"
Franchetti Xerene bawled her eyes out. Her heart is melting. Though it cost them more than an arm and a leg, no amount of money can replace the happiness and contentment it brought to their son. It's all worth it and they can see how he value their gift to him.
"Hnnngh. I'm so happy you love it. I really, really wanted to give you this. I'm so happy!" she sobbed. Voltage Xirquit instantly soothe her in his arms. King Liorei watched them, then he looked away. The portals caught his attention.
"What are those portals for?"
Now, Watts Xirquit is making them tea and snacks.
"They lead to other spaces just below our location right now. I expanded the dome. The Blue portal leads to my workshop and lab. The red one is where I test and store my creations. The white portal is my bedroom, library for the green one, then the yellow one is where I store important documents and papers," he explained simply, skipping the last portal.
Among the rest, the gray portal, closest to his table, is the only one with decorations and design round it. It looks enchanted with a copy of moon shining its moonlight over the arch. Its frame is studded with sparkling, shining precious stones in varying colors and kind. Flower vines are circling around the frames, and artificial butterflies flutter their wings around it.
"What's inside? What is it for? That gray portal," King Liorei still asked despite knowing what is it for---or who is it for.
They saw how it made him stop from pouring hot water on the teacups.
"Do you really have to ask, Your Majesty? Every detail of it screams her name. Do I really have to say it?"
Ohms Xirquit observed his brother.
"What's inside?"
They threw unbelieving and annoyed glares at him.
"Stop," Franchetti Xerene mouthed but he ignored her.
Watts Xirquit dropped the nettle gently and prepared the tea on a tray.
"My love in solidified forms. I guess, I'm just so obsessed with her that I made a shrine of her. I wanted to bring her here. I wanted to show her...this. The beauty beyond the skies. I should've done it sooner. It should've been the first thing I did."
Their excruciating silence is so loud that it dries their throats. Good thing he has finally served their teas and snacks.
"Is it only me who have a feeling that she's still alive?" Ohms Xirquit speaks up as he reach for his tea. His father give him a nasty glare and he shrugged. Then, his mother lean over to smack his arm.
"What are you saying in front of your brother? Take that back."
"I was just saying. Is it wrong to share my opinion? I'm not giving him false hope. I'm simply saying what my instincts are telling me. I mean---everything feels rushed? Why did the Deity only watched? And I also noticed something,"
He sat back and crossed his leg. He took a sip of his tea first, then smirked when it suit his taste.
"When she kissed him, it wasn't her."
"What do you mean?"
Ohms Xirquit adjusted his sitting position, opening slightly his crossed leg, "It wasn't her, and she said so. I'm not a psychologist so I won't diagnose it as multiple personality disorder when I don't have much basis. But, maybe it is what it is. Another thing, how come she knows about smartphones? I just know she's never been in the Tower, yet she already knows what it is. Relating that to the recent revelation that she's a 'traveler', maybe that's how she recognized the gadget. Am I making sense? Crazy," he lightly shook his head with a grin and took a sip of his tea.
Voltage Xirquit nodded. He get what he's trying to imply, though he's not entirely supporting it yet.
"Wow, you're actually smart?" Duke Paris humor.
"I have always been. I walked and paved the way so my siblings can run. I'm even smarter than you."
The Duke frowned.
"Walked my ass. You got those from us. You should be thanking us!" Franchetti Xerene huffed.
"Then thank you," her son simply replied.
Voltage Xirquit laid back and put his arm around his wife and stated as his other hand scratch his temple, "Actually, I have the same thought. Not to give you false hope, Watts, but I believe she's still alive. Maybe this is all a facade. Maybe something great is about to hit us. Maybe she wanted to die to make us believe she's gone, then make her grand entrance soon. Moon is just a face. Moon is not the Holy Azarese Elyzena you believe she is. Moon is only a puppet amd the real deal is pulling the strings behind the scenes."
Watts Xirquit doesn't know what reaction to pull. His breath was blocked by a lump in his throat; the more he inhale, the heavier his chest becomes.
"Probably. If she's out for revenge, then using Moon as a distraction is effective. She used Moon so she can have more time to prepare. She's a 'traveler'. She knew us already but we don't know her yet. We're in great disadvantage here since we have no idea about the story of her first timeline. The Deity appeared because of her. Her death withered the Oracle Tree and opened a hole in the barriers of Forsaken Continent. Human, Veil, Ancient, and a lady Dragunovv-Warlock. Third Lady. Bloodline Creation. All of that in one. That's fucking terrifying. She's coming to fuck us all up. We're all going to fucking die," the serious Duke Paris elaborated, finally making them realize the impending doom that's about to befall on them.
"How..." Emperor-to-be Claxiord's forehead wrinkled in confusion, "It's the Empress's sword that took her life. She's part-Veil. It would've killed her. But we witnessed her return to the skies. She did not burn up and exploded into ashes like a dying Veil. Therefore, she's an Ancient and not a Veil."
King Liorei run his fingers through his hair, down to his nape where he massaged it gently. He noticed their stares and looked at them.
"You're very handsome, Your Highness," Watts Xirquit complimented with a small smile.
It made the King smirk.
"I know. It's a privilege."
The others hissed, mainly Duke Paris and Voltage Xirquit.
"Moon is a mystery. We never truly knew her," King Liorei briefly mumbled, bringing his regret and hatred back.
The silence between them is calm.
"Let's introduce democracy to Devereux and Sacremore Empire," Watts Xirquit blurted in the middle of their contemplation.
"What?"
"My son pointed the east. That's where Sacremore Empire is standing. King Liorei, you haven't given up your position as their King, have you?"
The King was shocked but he nodded anyway.
"Good. I will demolish monarchy in both empires, so that when those royal survivors returned, no throne will be waiting for them. I sent my people to look into Sun's knight's background. If he's one of those royal survivors I'm saying, after what he and Sun has done to Moon... No retaliation is better than that. I will make both the first democratic nations, all while planting my empire inside. I won't rule their petty empire. I will own it, " he vowed in the midst of his hurling fury.
He lift his cup, brought it to his lips, and they saw how it stretched into a sweet smirk as he bring it closer to drink.
His eldest brother showered him with victorious slow clap. He's never ever been so proud but now. On the other hand, King Liorei is shuddering, holding back his laugh. Duke Paris cursed with a grin and clapped in the same rhythm with Ohms Xirquit's in a standing ovation. His parents looked at each other; worried but proud. Only the Emperor-to-be is perplexed, concerned about their reaction, even more about his plan.
"Welcome to the dark side, Watts. We've been waiting for you. We've been waiting for you," Duke Paris tearfully welcomed as he clap louder.
Watts Xirquit simply shrugged and tilt his head to the side.
"I have always been here, Uncle. Always have been."
His mother transferred to his side and hugged him.
"My baby, I'm so happy and proud. I always thought you're so pure. I like it about you, but I like this better. I accept you. Don't be like your Kuya Ohms, okie? Leave a piece of humility in you. Your Kuya is bad. Don't be like him. His superiority complex is insufferably excruciating sometimes. He just won't stoop low. He's too mean."
Ohms Xirquit rolled his eyes on her, and Voltage Xirquit raised his brow at him when he saw it.
Watts Xirquit cuddled with his mother.
"It's okay. Kuya is specially nice to me. He's never been mean to me," he reasoned. His mother pouted.
His brother snickered, "Of course, you're my son. Call me Dad."
"Just make your own, will you? You can't adopt your brother. That personality of yours is the reason why women can't stand you. You're a failure."
Ohms Xirquit threw his head back as he laugh.
"They can't stand me because they kneel for me, Dad."
Though not drinking, they choked, and he had his father mouth, "What the fuck did you say?" in shock and disbelief.
"The woman worthy of my name has not been born yet. I won't father no child unless I'll meet a woman possessing all my standards. I'll give you grandchildren as much as you want until you're sick of babies."
Franchetti Xerene laughed at her husband, what's more the expression on his cringing face. Ohms Xirquit shrugged at his father with a smirk and emptied his teacup. King Liorei chuckled, while Duke Paris was wheezing. On the other hand, Emperor-to-be Claxiord and Watts Xirquit gave each other a look before sighing.
"Going back, leave your menacing plan to me. I'll brainwash their people before I step down as their King."
Watts Xirquit nodded, then pauses, staring at the glass table in front of him.
"I'll leave Wattroid to your care to support you, Your Majesty. Honestly, I have my future with her perfectly outlined. I bought lands to build roads, built skyscraper, made a cruise ship, and the train---all based in Warlock Empire. I wanted to unveil each achievement with her by my side. I wanted to show her this. But they took her a-away from m-me. I can't breathe in my bottomless grief."
He stand up and distanced himself from them to hide his tears. But every steph take weighs him down even more. So, he stopped and put his hands on his knees, trying to suppress his agony. Franchetti Xerene immediately soothe her son and gave him a soothing embrace.
Ohms Xirquit cut his stares off his brother and put the teacup to the table. They maintain their silence as his mother comfort him through his pain, but they are not deaf.
They've been hurt, but Watts has never. He's never been hurt. Disappointed, yes. Yet he always make his simple mistakes better and climbs to the top. He never knew such hurt like love was that painful. It's squeezing his heart angrily; the pain is blaming him for not doing enough and not being enough. He couldn't save her. He would've. He's never been hurt emotionally that it affects his mental health.
"I-I swear, I'll make them pay. I-I won't let them get a-away with this easily. M-Mom, they killed M-Moon. My... I won't see her a-anymore. I---I was... I tried... I thought I was e-enough. I'm a f-failure. I couldn't s-save her. I love her so m-much. Mom, help me. I-It still hurts like crazy. I can't... I don't like this. It hurts so much."
Emperor-to-be Claxiord covered his ears and closed his eyes. If only he could turn back time, he would've done it. Watts is a brother to him. He has always been their little bundle of joy; very polite and optimistic. If only he could turn back time, then his father would've been by their side, plotting the worst revenge for Watts. He would've salvaged Sun's knight, torturing him somewhere nobody would know. So many possibilities and wishes, only if he could turn back time.
Voltage Xirquit silently walked to his wife and son and took over when his wife is not helping anymore. Instead of being strong, she's joining him in tears.
Watts Xirquit cried on his father's chest, clinging on him tight as if he's seeking strength and courage from him to brave through his pain. The vast universe heard him and witnessed yet another one of the greatest love tales they have ever seen.
Franchetti Xerene wiped her tears and turn around. She marched towards the door with her clenched fists and tightening jaw. Seeing her in that state, Duke Paris left his seat at once and blocked her path. He calmed her down, but she slammed him against the floor and went on her merry way to kill Sun.
Until King Liorei stepped in to stop her himself.
She threw her fist to him and he caught her fist. He gently put it down.
"Don't. Let them suffer. Let them feel that immortality is not a blessing but a curse. Let the beg for death to our feet. Don't give them the quickest death. I won't allow you do what you want to do."
Voltage Xirquit his son's head before twisting it to put him to sleep. Then, he lift him up and looked at everybody.
"Let the boy rest. Don't touch anything without his permission. I'll take him to his bedroom," he told them before going to where he must.
"Elyzena... Come back...to me..." he mumbled in his sleep before the last of his tears dry.