A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means not been proofread yet nor edited.1****
Emperor Ohms woke the Empress on his side and caressed her face.
"Let's get married again, Elyzena. Do you want to marry me again?"
The Empress didn't fully comprehend, but she trust her husband and her careful, loving touch. She nodded and rubbed her cheek on his. The Empress is being extra clingy. Did she know?
"The preparation---"
Emperor Ohms cut Azarese off, "---is done."
The Emperor raised his hands, and with a wave of his fingers, a wave of blue light changed everything it passes by. The grand marble pillars and regal banners melted away, replaced by delicate silk drapes that cascaded from the ceiling like waterfalls of rich crimson and gold.
A red carpet rolled from the throne down to the end of the twin doors. Azarese found herself standing on the side, her clothes changing into a gown that matches the theme of the shotgun wedding. As the room shifted, the guests found their clothes changing as well. Their simple attire was replaced with elegant formal gowns and suits, each tailored to perfection and glowing with royal splendor.
The Emperor kissed the Empress and sent her behind the closed twin doors. As he walk to the aisle, blue shimmering light poured over his head, changing his suit into an ancient, traditional wedding gown that is comparable to an Asian clothing.
When he reached the end, he turned around and his crown sat on his head.
Their guests stood aside. A song played and nobody knew where it came from.
This might be for the best. The Emperor doesn't want to tangle himself along the webs of this Side's matters. He won't lend them a hand. After all, what are they to him? Just another version of who they were. He's been waiting for this moment all his life. For the Empress to rest so he can. Death is their last and only mercy. He want to escape as soon as he can. He wouldn't wish that if only this Side is what they thought it is.
Once his brother learns the truth, he'd be glad that he's dead. Then Watts will only curse his grave. He wouldn't have to see his brother cry and hate him and worse, disown him for the sins he committed.
It was a mistake, and he will take that mistake down to his grave.
Soon, the doors opened and the most beautiful woman walked down the aisle as a bride once again.
Watts felt his heart twitch.
Their instincts kicked in and went down to their knees as the Third Empress of Heart pass them by. The eye in the crown floating over her head turn side to side to look at them. They're bowing to not meet its gaze. It's the second time they've seen it. First is when Empress Siofra rose to the throne. And now, as he daughter walk down the aisle to marry her last husband.
Solana clapped her hands. They are watching from the skies. Suddenly, Skadi Eira got a very wicked idea in her head. As the husband renew his vows to his wife, she transported Princess Lorreign in the middle of the room.
Princess Lorreign couldn't understand what just happened. She looked at herself and to her surroundings; and as she turn around to assess it all, she found Emperor Ohms who just landed his eyes on her.
Their hearts skipped a beat at the same time, and the Emperor stuttered from speaking his vows as soon as he found her.
Aloisia clenched her fists and looked out the windows and found the being who was behind it.
Princess Lorreign was in loss of words. Her knees felt weak. She couldn't take her eyes off of him. She knew that something about him is different from the Ohms she knew, but she knew that he is still Ohms, too. And what's with the set up? Who is the woman in front of him? Were they exchanging...vows?
The Emperor pulled his gaze away and went back to his wife. And he smiled, apologetically, because he was distracted.
"Shall we continue, wife? A guest arrived late. Why not stand with the rest, Lorreign? You're ruining the ceremony."
It was a shot to her heart.
The Emperor threw her aside and started from the beginning again. This time, much clearer, genuine, and sincere.
He bear no love for the bitch who refused to take the risk for him, when he's down and low to show her to the whole world and beat the odds.
When it was the Empress's turn to renew her vow, she nodded with a word, "Husband."
It made the Emperor happy. It filled his heart with contentment and joy.
He placed his hands around her waist and carefully pulled her close to him. They sealed their promises to each other with a deep kiss, taking their time because it'll be the last time.
The placed changed again into a ballroom. As he lead her to what will be their resting place, the Emperor gave Azarese a nod. They curtsy before each other before meeting in the middle to reunite and dance away the remaining time in their lives.
The Ki'zaar began the ceremony for the merging.
Azarese asked him two wishes. First is to break the Wall, the second is a way to kill her first self. And this was the only possible way for she is a true immortal.
Absorb her, merge with her.
The Empress closed her eyes, letting her peaceful, clear diamond tears fall from her eyes. She accepted it. She's looking forward to it. That's why when she opened her eyes, it's like her life went back to her. Her golden colors returned, much brighter than it used to be. Every strand of her hair glows, as if the Sun's essence is flowing right within it. Her sparkling skin is so pleasant to see, and her eyes. Her breath taking eyes.
"I love you, Ohms. Thank you."
The Emperor flashed a smile. He was holding his tears back. They slowed down until they're just standing face to face.
"Did I make you happy?"
Empress Azarese nodded and threw her arms around his neck.
"Very much. I'm sorry I couldn't give you a son."
Emperor Ohms pressed his forehead against hers.
"But you did. You will. I should've loved you better."
Empress Azarese smiled and between her sobs she said, "I felt so loved by you."
The Emperor put his head on her shoulder and cried silently with a smile on his face.
They felt fulfilled.
The Empress's twinkling particles began to find their way to Azarese. The Emperor placed his hands on her belly and poured everything he got to protect it. Then, they danced again.
It was rushed. It was momentary. It was fleeting. But for them, it was everything they needed.
The Emperor let the Empress's hand go when their second dance ended, just as when Empress Siofra made it to where they are. Empress Azarese stood there, waiting for the rest of her to be absorbed---until her mother called out her name.
"W-Wait! My Holy! My daughter!"
Enduring it all, she ran to her. Empress Azarese's eyes widened.
"M-M...ommy?"
She slowly turn her body to face her mother.
"W-Wait! Stop! Let me talk to my Mommy! Mommy!"
Emperor Ohms tried to hold her back but the Empress already ran away to meet the mother she never met before. Empress Siofra fell, but she stood up and reached out her hand to her daughter.
"Mommy!" Empress Azarese called out and tried to reach her. Their fingertips touched, but she burst into twinkling dust and went to Azarese.
Empress Siofra fell to the ground, but she's staring at the space where her daughter was just standing on a while ago.
Azarese fainted but Watts caught her in his arms. It would've been the Ki'zaar but his arms is full, filled by the Prince.
Empress Siofra's heartbreaking scream shook the world as she slam her fists to the ground.
"I WAS WRONG! I WAS WRONG! MY DAUGHTER---MY DAUGHTER! I WAS WRONG!" She screamed and it didn't matter if her throat hurt.
Emperor Ohms looked down on her coldly and raised his hand.
"Well, fuck it, Dearil. Go back to that impostor. Isn't she your daughter?" And he blasted her out of the room and shut the twin doors tight.
Did he really have to do it that way?
He lifted his hand to see his ring. He brought close to his lips.
"I should go, too." He turned around and began walking away,cchanging his clothes into his suit once again. But he made a turn; taking large steps until he made to his father and hugged him.
Voltage Xirquit returned the same intensity to him and ruffled his hair like he used to when he was younger. No words were said but so much was felt.
Emperor Ohms closed his eyes.
"I'm glad...to be born in this family, Dad."
Were his last words before his body burst like light. It went with the wind, its trail escaped through the windows to be free.
"We still have lots to ask," Voltage Xirquit murmur, but he guess, the job is theirs to be done. Surely, their history is written and recorded. Things withhold memories, and the first Warlock Empire withholds all the truths they must see.
"I will...avenge us." Azarese mumbled before submitting to sleep.
~
When Ohms opened his eyes, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. He first scanned the room and found that he's in a bedroom. Whose bedroom, he doesn't know. Then, he found his mother fast asleep on the edge of his bed, holding his hand.
"M-Mom..." He whispered and tried moving his finger.
Franchetti Xerene felt it and was awakened. She got up and found his eyes staring at her.
The first thing she did now that he's awake is punch his stomach hard.
Ohms Xirquit writhe in pain. It felt like an asteroid landed on him.
"How are you feeling?"
And she will ask him that after punching him!?
"D-Dying..."
"Good, you dumb fuck. That's the first blow. I will wait for your recovery only to beat you up. Did you think it's cool? You're so fucking proud, you're not even good."
"I'm...sorry."
His mother rolled her eyes and stand up, "I'll tell the you're awake. I will check on Aviana."
Aviana?
Ohms only nodded and watched his mother leave. The pain subsided and he's fine again. He looked out the window.
"I think my organs deflated."
It's only been three days since Azarese absorbed the Empress and since the Emperor followed her. The Emperor seemed to patch up the Earthlings he slain back to one piece and returned their lives to them, too. They theorized that he helped Ohms, too. Jeth Draven, to this day, is all over his wife and won't leave her side.
The Ki'zaar put up a temporary Wall between the Other Side and Their Side, so that nobody can get inside and nothing from there will come out. The Warlock Empire raised its arms to fight against the Veils and Veilions, not giving them a rest. And until now, the royals Emperor Ohms subdued remained bound. They left them there and ever looked back.
Aviana Lavender and Colt Forest were kept in Watts's Office, and so is Daro. By Azarese's orders, the Vernignacs haven't reunited with them yet. Word of it had reached Emperor Claxiord. He wanted to see his Aunt, but Watts sent him a letter. Its content is obviously about how he should lay low and not get on Azarese's skin. That he must be patient because Aviana Lavender is safe and is fighting.
Chancellor Titania and her squad were often in and out of the Office, taking turns in looking after their long-lost and almost forever-forgotten friends. Duke Paris stayed the longest beside Aviana Lavender Lee.
Currently, they are in Watts's villa. It is said that Prince Valor and the other dragons are still under rehabilitation. Though the Ki'zaar could just easily restore them to their hundred percent, Lord Feryzen advised that it's best to keep them hidden as of now while things are still hot. Nothing has been talked about and done. They're just trying to live the days normally, because they are waiting for Azarese to speak of it first.
Because Azarese is still unconscious.
Emperor Claxiord clasped his hands around his father's hand. Before, it used to be wider and bigger than his. Now, it's thin and frail like sticks.
"Please... Hang on a little longer. Don't go yet. Please, Dad. I can't do this without you. I don't know how to live without you, so please. Just a little longer. Please."
Emperor Maxism's eyes fluttered.
Prince Valerian, toddler in size, climbed the bed to see his mother. The Ki'zaar is sat on her right, caressing her face gently as she sleeps, while Watts Xirquit is standing on her left.
Lord Feryzen cleared his throat to get their attention.
"What is it?" The Ki'zaar.
"I want to ask for your permission to cross the Wall, Ki'zaar. I want to present to you the people who helped us before. Priedo will accompany me. We will return before the sun is down,"
The Ki'zaar kissed her hair and nodded, "If you must, you may."
"Thank you, Ki'zaar."
Prince Valerian crawled to his father, "Daddy, why is Mommy sleeping very long? I want to play."
The Ki'zaar smiled on him and pat his head, "Patience, my sweet, little dragon. The Mi'zaar is resting. She will wake up soon."
The Prince was sad. He lay down, his head on his father's lap, "What about Maximilien? I want to play with him, too."
That... He didn't know.
The Ki'zaar has been trying to locate the boy. He's afraid to think of the unthinkable, but the child might be...gone. He's still trying. He doesn't want to break his Mi'zaar's heart.
"Daddy, kiss me." Prince Valerian asked with a smile, so the Ki'zaar raised him and kissed his cheek. Watts watched them with jealousy and envy.
They would've been the sweetest father and son duo if only his son Zodiac is with him. So sweet that anyone who will see them together will get toothaches.
"Kiss Mommy, too. So she will wake up soon." The Prince pat his mother's chest, "I want milk."
The Ki'zaar spawned his milk bottle, "Here." Then he kissed Azarese's forehead.
"No! I want Mommy's milk! I'm a baby!"
Prince Valerian rolled on the bed, throwing tantrums.
"I want Mommy's milk! I want Mommy's milk!"
But it's impossible because she is not pregnant. She can't produce milk unless she's with child.
"My sweet little dragon, you should understand---"
"NO! I don't like that milk!"
Prince Valerian hopped off the bed and ran away, "I don't like milk!" And he slammed the door shut after sticking his tongue out to his father.
"My little dragon is naughty," the Ki'zaar sighed while palming his forehead.
Watts smiled, "You must understand, Ki'zaar. The Prince is a good boy. If you wouldn't mind, you may ask my father for parenting advices. He'd be glad to help you. My father is amazing."
The Ki'zaar raised his head and nodded. Watts stared at him and he's staring at his Mi'zaar. The Ki'zaar is ethereal and majestic. The mesmerizing markings on his face and body were glowing naturally. A magnificent being. He's out of his league. He's just a human.
"Thank you. I will. I know he is a good father."
They smiled at each other. The following seconds became awkward for them and Watts hated it. He wanted to leave but he wanted to stay, too. A voice tells him to leave the couple alone, but they are a couple too, are they not? They are husband and wife, in their first timeline. He's holding into that fact to this day, because it's the strongest connection he has with her.
Her man. Her first love. Her first husband.
Hours later, Prince Valerian returned, but in Franchetti Xerene's arms. He's drinking milk from a bottle, his eyes fluttering.
"Daddy," he called and closed his eyes. He's still conscious about his surroundings.
"The Prince played so much outside. He's tired. I can wash him up. If you will allow me."
The Ki'zaar stand up to see his son.
"Mom," Watts called and smiled, "It would be nice if you will teach the Ki'zaar how to wash babies. What do you think, Ki'zaar?"
Franchetti Xerene can't help but smile as she transfer the Prince to the arms of his father.
"Oh, lovely idea."
Prince Valerian opened his eyes halfly.
Franchetti Xerene then guided the Ki'zaar to the bathroom. Watts followed to make sure their necessities were available and prepared his baby clothes to give to the Prince.
All throughout his warm bath time, the Prince was holding the Ki'zaar's finger as he sleeps.