A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means not been proofread yet nor edited.1
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Ohms Xirquit sat by the window sill with one foot up, dead eyes staring at his brother and his wife.
He was alive all along.
"You heard, didn't you? How long have you been watching? You wouldn't reveal yourself unless I call for you?"
The Emperor meet his stare with the same dead eyes. Two brothers that was once had it all, now broken and ruined by the Princess who went mad.
"I heard. I've been watching you since you surrendered yourself to her. I went back for you but had gone here by then, impatient fool."
The Emperor balled his fists, but he calmed himself. It doesn't matter anymore. He regret regretting all his regrets. Now he's wishing that he had come sooner instead.
"Where are they?" He meant about their sister's children and husband.
"Vernignac Empire. Uncle Paris took them in. Claxiord is looking for his woman." They looked at the Empress at the same time, "Return Selene or war with them will be inevitable. I can handle myself, but you can't. You need them."
Emperor Watts palmed his face and stressed, "I don't know where she detained the Duchess. I've been looking. I asked Celia and said she moved her somewhere else,"
"Maybe to use against them. They included their names in her long list of names to kill."
The Empress might sure did. He will ask his wife later.
"You know, I've always dreamt of killing at least one Dragunovv,"
The Emperor's eyes widened at his brother's confession.
"Only we can stand with them, be it allies or enemies. They are powerful, but we are strong. I take pride in our parents' history as assassins, experienced fighters. Our similarities and indifferences clash so often that we can't tell whose lineage rests on the top anymore. I do not mean to discredit Uncle Paris, but I rank him last among the four. Mom, first; Dad, second; and third, Uncle Max. He's fit to be a ruler. Sly, ambitious, and a psychopath---If you won't return Selene sooner, expect war. He will wage war for Claxiord, because Claxiord will definitely ask for it."
"Let them come," the Emperor dared to say, surprising his eldest brother, "Sister Selene won't make it out alive either way. I will try to talk things out, though. If they wish for war... Then there will be war. She gave me a choice and I chose her. I will free her from this world."
"Kill her. Or I will."
Emperor Watts nodded, "I will. And I will die with her. The Princess is a true immortal, and in the situation we're in, I know that I will live a short life. I could feel it. Brother Astaroth brought their mother here for many reasons, but I know one of them has something to do with Princess Azarese. Death is the only mercy there is for the Princess. I do not wish to see her live longer just to suffer. Her love for me is great that there's no telling what she might do once she lose me. A broken Dragunovv-Warlock, untouchable and twisted. She will destroy Vernignac Empire must they come. Let the child throw tantrums once in a while."
Ohms Xirquit's laughter was suppressed, but was heard loud enough. He knew they got it running in their veins, but he never knew that Watts will get the darkest of it. Emperor Watts left his morals and principles behind for his wife the Empress. Or maybe it's in their nature. They got it from their mother who will undeniably twist morality as long as what she believe in is the right thing, even when she's in the wrong.
"Izaac is trying to pierce a hole through the barriers. He's certainly going to Uncle Max, but with another motive. He's going to the Other Side, I hear."
"The Other Side?" The Emperor turn to his brother almost instantly.
Ohms Xirquit, with a grin, nodded, "Daro was said to be seen crossing it. The reason of his departure may be lying there. What that is, nobody knows. I will bring you a Dragunovv, but I will kill some myself. We lost our family because of them. Even I myself couldn't believe about what they did to her. Poor girl."
The Emperor turned away, head low as he mourn and yearn for his mother and father.
"I hate Mom."
Ohms Xirquit stand up and look at the apocalyptic scenery past the windows.
"You have every right to be. I don't know what got into her and she ignored her plight, but that made me angry, too. I'm...sorry for her. I'm sorry, Watts. Don't get your hands dirty. I will do the deeds for you. Live, multiply---our lineage is yours to continue. Two worlds has seen a Dragunovv-Covry, Selene and Lorreign. But they're yet to see a Dragunovv-Warlock and a Xirquit. Mom and Dad would love that. It's one of their greatest dreams."
People and their obsession about mixing and linking great lineages to one another. The most notable one so far was the engagement of Selene Azazel Dragunovv and Crown Prince Claxiord Vernignac. None of them seen it coming. The Duchess is thousands of years older, just months younger than Prince Izaac. The Crown Prince liked her first. A simple crush that blossomed into genuine love as he grew older, meet each other during gatherings, and made accomplishments to prove himself to her. But the Crown Prince feared her father the King and would often talk about his love to his father.
Emperor Maxism who is an avid fan of uniting great families together, helped his son get what he wanted and needed.
"Only an idiot would refuse the blood of Maxism Ford Lee and Clastigaufeas Vernignac. A Dragunovv, soon a Vernignac! got you. I wouldn't let this chance slip! If you want to win Selene, it's not Van you must woo. It's Alosia. Xerene, her Mom. You're so lucky I'm your Dad. Let's go, son! You're bringing that Dragunovv home!"
And it was proven to worked. The Emperor talked to the Grand Duchess alone and when they returned, there were satisfied grins on their faces. On the same day, they got her blessings. What they talked about, only they know, but they have a hunch of what it is.
A Dragunovv-Covry blood merged with Lee-Vernignac blood. How great that would be?
And when the Duchess heard about it, she laughed at them with her twin sister, Lorreign. So loud that the Crown Prince almost cried, thinking that he had been rejected, but no.
"Hmm, but you cheated. Uncle Max helped you," said the Duchess.
Princess Lorreign is still giggling, "Is the bullying over then? Aww, I want to see him more with Uncle Van,"
Witches, the twins are. They love having fun, so she gave the Crown Prince a challenge.
"A duel with my Dad. You're a swordmaster, right? If you last more than an hour, then, I will marry you."
Came next were the Xirquit and Slaynov descendants, Auberon Xirquit and Xenos Slaynov, whose love at first is purely platonic until Xenos confessed her love for him. Their love story wasn't easy because of the apocalypse. In the end, they had each other.
"If Sir Astaroth comes back to redo everything, I will make sure none of this will happen again. I wish for the Princess to not be born in the same family again to avoid the same fate. But that would mean I might not meet her at all. Kuya, it's exhausting. I lost myself. Everyone is dying. I'm losing everyone. If I will be given a chance, just a chance... I will get her out sooner from here."
His brother nodded. There was a brief silence between them, until Ohms turned around, preparing to leave.
"I'd be around. When the time comes, let me handle Uncle Max."
When he heard his brother scoffed at what he said, it offended him.
"Uncle Max is a psychopath. A seasoned and experienced assassin. Do you really think you can handle him?"
Ohms went inside.
Emperor Watts was frozen when he felt his brother's hand squeeze his right shoulder.
He slowly level his face next to his brother's, and the Emperor knew he owe him an apology right then.
His brother's eyes are bright blue, with electricity sparking from his hands. It stings him. It electrocutes him, but Ohms have his power under his control.
"They think I'm arrogant because of the names I carry. That's true, but I see myself as a god because I have something to prove, Watts. You're right where you are, accomplishing great things, because I chose to lay low. You're my baby brother. You deserve glory, honor, and so much more. Izaac? Ask them, I mopped him. So, don't mock my words next time. I am Ohms Tesla Xirquit. I have always been a god since I was born."
Emperor Watts kept his eyes tightly shut. He held his breath. He's scared. Now he know why Maxigaufeas feared his brother.
He heard his brother's footsteps going away. Slowly, he opened his eyes. Dread fell upon his face when he saw what he did to his wife.
Ohms Tesla Xirquit chopped her limb by limb, but her head is missing.
"I will forgive you this time. You said she's a true immortal, right? She won't die if I... You see, do that? And I'm taking her head. I like pretty girls. Don't worry, I won't disrespect your wife's snout."
.
.
.
Watts Xirquit unconsciously pressed the button on the remote, stopping the video they are watching.
Every head tilted towards Ohms Xirquit, who's grinning like crazy and shuddering as he suppress his laugh. When he noticed them, jaws dropping to the floor, he gave them a shrug.
"What?"
His mother jumped to him and locked her arms around his neck.
"You---! How dare you!? How dare you!"
"Ack---Mom! What the fuck!? Let me go!"
When he tried to pull her arms off him, Elektra and Spike held his hands down, pinning them against the couch using their knees. Voltage Xirquit silently sat on his feet to keep him from using them. He smiled at Golden Azarese.
"Don't mind, don't mind. Are you hungry?"
Golden Azarese returned to her senses and chuckled. Then she lift her hand, swaying it back and forth, gently putting the Xirquits back to their positions.
"Magic..." Archduchess Miss President muttered with awe.
Her hand movements leaves a magical, golden trail in the air.
"Just a tiny amount. So, how do you feel about it?"
Everyone forgot about it for a moment, but now that she reminded them of it, they just don't know what to react. The disturbed expression on their faces were grim. Watts covered his face with his falms. He's not crying. He don't know. He doesn't know what to feel anymore.
All his first self's wishes and promises...we're broken as soon as it was heard. He made a promise and he broke it. He made a wish and when it was granted, he missed it. It's all his fault. Because of him...
"Did it happen?" Ohms asked as he massage his hurting neck. His mother meant to snap it and he's healing.
"The what?"
Ohms rolled his eyes. The child is acting innocent, "Against Uncle Max. Did it happen?"
Golden Azarese, before answering, reached out to her juice and drink it until it's empty. When she put it back on the table, they saw the glass get a refill from bottom to top. Her eyes landed on the Vernignacs.
"The war did happen. But you weren't there. I have a footage of it, but I won't show it to you."
The memory card inserted in the TV went back to its home. Hands closed the chest and hid it in the vault again.
"Why not?" Emperor Claxiord braved as he look straight in her eyes.
Golden Azarese smiled, "You know the rules. The laws. Even a simple gasp may mean a thing, and that gasp can be the reason why the future will change for better or for worse. There are things I can show you and there are ones I can't. The war with Uncle Max is an example for the latter."
"State your purpose. What you do want?" Voltage Xirquit directly questioned. He could sense that she have a motive. He can't tell whether Golden Azarese is trustworthy or not.
"I'm here to help."
"At what cost?" Duke Paris. He's serious. They are serious.
"Depends. I am neither your enemy or ally. I'm doing this for us. For her."
The Earthlings looked at one another.
Watts Xirquit breathe in and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Tell me."
"There's one thing I want you to do. But as I see it, none of you can yet. I know someone who can, but not here."
Their brows furrowed, "You're giving us a job? Dirty job? And you're saying even this, Aloisia, can't?" Duke Paris's words were full of sarcasm.
Honestly, it was offensive to his part, too. They're assassins. Killers. They've done things and proved themselves good at it. And they're still not enough?
"Who's the target?" Chancellor Titania asked and Golden Azarese smiled, but it was a sad one.
She avoided answering the question with a shrug.
"Do you want my help or not?"
"Tell us why you're doing this first. Who are you? What would you gain from helping us? I thought you're here for revenge? Is this how revenge works nowadays? By helping the people you hate?" Aloisia.
Golden Azarese pretended to think. Then she smiled with a laugh.
"Can't I? Though I'm part of her, a personality of hers, doesn't mean we share the same wrath. I am the child in her. Before Good and Bad Azarese, there was Golden Azarese. That's me. I am the beholder of her hopes, values, and faith. Children are generous, so am I. Children don't lie, so am I. Children keep secrets, and I have lots. They call me 'Golden Azarese' because I am everything that is good and nice. I'm the safest personality of hers, trust me. Do you trust me, Watts Xirquit?"
She stand up and extended her hand to him. Ohms hold his brother's hand down, measuring the child to see it himself. He extended his hand instead and smirked.
"He will only trust you if you take my hand."
She immediately gave him an answer, "No. You're a liar and a cheater. I'd rather trust the voice in our head, but you? You should be careful, Watts Xirquit."
The smirk he have on his face slowly faded. He clenched his fist before taking it back. He noticed his brother's condescending stares at him.
"Don't tell me you will believe her? She might be pertaining to the first one. But me?"
"Who he is is who you are, for both are one. Slight changes, but you are still you. Just as how Watts Xirquit is still Watts Xirquit and he will always be."
Ohms Xirquit was impressed about her tongue. Like a wise philosopher, she is. But he wouldn't leave her slander against him be. He doesn't want anything tainting his image from his brother's perspective.
"I don't like Astaroth. I never liked any of those Dragunovvs," he confessed his truth bitterly.
Golden Azarese smiled, and it's the most annoying thing for him. Always smiling like there's something in it. It means something.
"Oh, but you do. And you will. And that Dragunovv will ruin everything you and your brother ever had. Clue, it's not her."
She mischievously giggled.
Ohms Xirquit forced himself to laugh, so faked that it's unsettling.
"I'm so relevant, aren't I? Ohms Tesla Xirquit, ME. A god. Not self-proclaimed, I promise you, I am. Even you are aware of me. So, tell me. Who is this 'Dragunovv' that will ruin me and my brother? Watts is my son. I am not just his brother, I am his father, too."
They couldn't describe the look on Voltage Xirquit when he heard his son's nonsense. He's taking the role too seriously, it's getting on his nerves already.
Golden Azarese placed her finger to her lips and smiled, "No telling. You're a genius, right? Look into it."
Ohms clenched his fists.
"Is it Lorreign? Our business has nothing to do with---"
His mother's eyebrow raised the moment his eldest sister's name was mentioned.
In that instance, Ohms felt his heart skipped for the very first time again after so long. He adjusted his seating position and cleared his throat.
"I mean, Selene and Lorreign, if it's them since they're bastards, I don't think that is enough to ruin us."
Elektra brought her face so close to his as if she's trying to learn his secret. When he looked away, her lungs deflated from the exaggerating gasped she pulled.
"Oh my god! I knew it! You fucked!"
"WHAT!? What the fuck!?"