A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means not been proofread yet nor edited.1***
Emperor Maxism composed himself by breathing in and out. When he had collected himself, he fearlessly and confidently presented himself to the majestic royals before him. Their presence alone, the sight of them sitting together side by side, it's intimidating him. The Third Empress of Heart had the most dangerous men in Cosmo-Vale helpless for her affection.
"I already said what I wanted from her. Now, I want to speak with the Ki'zaar,"
The Ki'zaar's expression remained blank. It's not cold but he seemed interested. He gave Emperor Maxism a nod, allowing him to continue and to tell him that he will listen to him.
"I want to introduce myself to you again. I am Maxism Ford Lee-Vernignac, husband to the Empress of Vernignac Empire, Empress Clastigaufeas Vernignac. I am an Earthling. And though I am but a very humble being with a very humble roots, I am shamelessly asking for your help and mercy, Ki'zaar. Or should I say, the Wrathful Void?"
Emperor Ohms smirked with a scoff. He crossed his legs. Since it's not his business, he'd lay low to watch and listen. The only person he find most interesting is the infamous Maxism Ford Lee-Vernignac. The sly, the snake.
"How did you know that name, human?" The Ki'zaar's eyes squinted a little.
"A short back story, my wife never wanted the throne for herself. She slew her kin and wanted to leave the Empire as is and settle with me, but I changed her mind. She claimed the throne eventually and named me her Emperor---and she entrusted all power and authority to me. She entrusted everything to me, Ki'zaar. And during my reign, I made valuable discoveries that I kept confidential and to myself to this day. Only I and few of my trusted people know. And those discoveries has something to do with you, the Wrathful Void of Zin Draji Teivel descent."
Eins and Zwei took Prince Maximilien from the Prince and left him in Azarese's arms. She cuddled the Prince, watching him sleep.
Emperor Maxism opened his palm to his side. His space storage opened up over it and dropped a book with faded gold book cover. An ancient book.
"This book was penned by a Vernignian archivist billions of years ago. Therefore, everything that was written here is truthful, accurate, and genuine. I found this in the Imperial House of Records. According to our longest living people, the Vernignac Imperial Library was the second to be established. The first was owned by the Matriarch of Warlock Empire, their inspiration."
"Almost everything that happened since its establishment were recorded and kept here, where every book is sealed and protected with magic. However, our House of Records was destroyed. Rather, 'burned' and 'stepped' on. In my first year of reign, the first project I prioritized was the rebuilding of our House of Records in the same place where it was stood. The first step was to survey the land in the hopes of finding some of the records. We did. They were buried deep below the ground; under the rocks, under the trees, and deeper. But those we found were the ones with the strongest seals and protection. Meaning, their content is valuable. And this book is one of those, Ki'zaar. This is about you."
Emperor Maxism is proud about his discovery, but he couldn't show off. Because what was recorded in the book...was a tragedy.
"Thanks to this, I was enlightened that dragons were real and true. Why did I not tell them when I know that it will help us? Because I don't want to. Because I am selfish and an opportunistic snake. Because my gut told me that a chance like this will come and it was right."
The Ki'zaar stared at the book he's holding. It even had a dragon engraved on its cover.
"And so what if you know about my ruthless deed? If you think you can use that on me, you're greatly mistaken."
That's when Emperor Maxism smirked.
"Who said this is my triumph card? This is not my ace. Rather, this is just a supporting card. Thanks to this, I was enlightened one more time when I made another discovery. Your land."
The Ki'zaar was stunned with his eyes widening.
Emperor Maxism opened his palm again and a folder fell on it. He gave it to the Ki'zaar and opened it for him. The Ki'zaar's eyes glistened when he recognized it what was preserved inside a photograph.
"It was recorded in this book how the greedy Imperial Families divided your continent to themselves. There's a land in the North-west of our Empire that is off-limits to us. It wasn't truly attached to our land. There's a gap in between when I went there to see it myself. When I first saw it, the whole landmass was covered in fog that's why we couldn't see anything past the first couples of meters. The atmosphere in that land is different. We did trials and failed to stand more than a minute inside. Even our studies couldn't comprehend what's up with the landmass---"
"W-What do you want?" The Ki'zaar's voice broke.
Emperor Maxism looked down. His fists clenched. He went down to his knees.
"Please help me. I will ask two things from your. Please. Please, Ki'zaar. Please ressurect my sister and her husband. And let me talk to your subject named Priedo who seemed to recognize the brand imprinted on them. I want to know the people who did that to them. I want revenge. In exchange, I will surrender what was rightfully yours. I know, how could I be so audacious? How could I be so shameless? But forgive me, I am doing this for my sister and for my grandson. I want revenge. And my craving will not be satisfied unless I have eaten and had enough,"
The Ki'zaar touched the picture he's been staring at with tearful eyes. Prince Valerian felt the strong emotions of his father, so he immediately asked Celia to send him back to check on the Ki'zaar.
"Daddy!" He called and hugged the Ki'zaar's legs. When he looked up to him, he was shocked. The Ki'zaar's precious tears fell to his face drop by drop.
"D-Dad...dy? Why? Why are you crying? MOMMY!"
Azarese arched her eyebrow to him, so the Prince glared at Emperor Maxism but he's kneeling before the Ki'zaar. So, who made him cry? Who is it? Who would dare make his Daddy cry?
"Our home..."
Prince Valor collapsed to his knees when he felt the familiar feeling in the air that embraced him when it blew by. His lips trembled as his eyes squeeze out his tears.
They're standing before the little piece of what was once their home. It was very familiar but haunting like a phantom. The memories they preserved in that land still lingers. He couldn't be wrong. He knew what it was. Their home.
Prince Valerian squeezed the Ki'zaar's hand. He's only looking straight ahead with an emotionless face, yet his tears did not stop from trailing down his face. Lord Feryzen went down to his knees and lowered his head.
"Fallen brothers and subjects, this is the land you fought for. What's ours will be returned."
The Ki'zaar made the first step. Slowly, the fog cleared out, revealing a path in front of them leading to a place they could barely remember. The sun extended its light over it. Now that the protection magic has been lifted, the paradise before them is revealed. The leaves of the trees were sparkling. The flowers were in full bloom even though nobody was there to cultivate or take good care of them. The birds began to chirp gracefully, as if all life within the land had been waiting for this moment. The moment of their return.
The Ki'zaar was stunned when he found the spirits of the late Ki'zaar and Mi'zaar in front of them, smiling at him peacefully.
Like children, Prince Valor and the Ki'zaar crossed the gap between them to feel them in their arms. Only to be heartbroken when they went through them.
"Mother! Mother, I missed you! Father, I'm sorry! I---I! Because of me!" Prince Valor fell to knees again and slammed his hands against the ground, screaming.
The late Mi'zaar touched his face and lifted it. Prince Valor's eyes reflected their translucent forms.
"My youngling... You've grown."
"Mother, forgive me. It's because of me. It's my fault. I'm sorry. It's because I was born. I'm sorry. I'm sorry!"
"Shh. Shh, my youngling. It's not your fault. None of it was. None of it was. You are not to blame."
The late Ki'zaar stood in front of the Ki'zaar who's on four, sobbing silently. He's trying to compose his self but couldn't. Before them, he's powerless.
"Valtyremius Lavyreian," the late Ki'zaar called his name, so he looked up to him, "I am proud of you."
"I? But I had failed you. If... If only you let me... If only I fought with you... Father, I failed you."
The late Ki'zaar went to his level with a smile on his face.
"No. You did not, my child. I am proud of you. Now, back on your feet. Before we go, let us meet your heir,"
The late Ki'zaar and late Mi'zaar helped their sons get back to their feet. They looked back and found Prince Valerian standing with Lord Feryzen who's smiling at them. He nodded at the late Ki'zaar and he nodded back at him with a smile.
"Go, Prinsiaze. Meet them."
But the Prince was shy. So, the Ki'zaar smiled at him and reached out his hand for him. That made the Prince happy, so he instantly ran to accept his hand.
"Mother, father, this is my adorable son. I named him Valerian Anulus Ecliss Zin Draji Teivel. My little dragon, meet your grandmother and grandfather."
The late Mi'zaar bent over to the Prince's level and caressed his cheek. The Prince smiled at them. He felt ticklish when the late Mi'zaar touched him.
"How beautiful. You are beautiful like our Valor,"
"T-Thank you, Grandma! You're very beautiful, too. Like my Mommy. P-Please don't worry about Daddy! I will take care of him! I will be a good boy and I will make you proud!"
The late Ki'zaar nodded, "I know you will. You are a true Zin Draji. Please take good care of your Uncle Valor, too. He is very clumsy. And if they fight, scold them in our stead."
Prince Valor's face reddened.
Prince Valerian chuckled, "Aye, Grampa! Leave them to me! I can do that!"
The late Mi'zaar stepped back to stand with the late Ki'zaar. They left a part of their spirits in their divided lands. They've been waiting for them patiently. Now, it's all over. They can truly rest. Their sons are reliable and worthy. They will leave everything on their hands. With Feryzen watching their backs every time, they feel peaceful and relieved.
"Please raise him well, my younglings. And Princess," the late Mi'zaar looked at Azarese who was left behind with Emperor Maxism, Emperor Ohms, and the invisible Prince Zodiac.
The late Mi'zaar smiled at her warmly, "You are the path that led them here. You are the path."
And then they were gone. Their spirit burst into glitters and was swept away by the wind. Only to be dumbfounded when they saw a baby dragon flying over their heads when they followed where the spirit was blown to.
The midnight blue-colored baby dragon blinked, and then its black doe eyes flared up in red when its instincts kicked in, breathing Star Blast to their faces.
.
.
.
"A sibling? That thing!?" Prince Valor exclaimed and pointed the baby dragon while gawking at the Ki'zaar who is smiling half-heartedly.
The baby dragon is on the broken altar, eating raw and cooked meat. Its guards are still up. While eating, the baby dragon would shoot glares at them from time to time. Its wings are open to show that it feels threatened and that it's wary of them.
"Mother and father must've kept him here all this time. Maybe he was born before or after they were captured. Look at him, he doesn't have intelligence yet. It's acting like a wild animal. Our poor brother. I want to cuddle him."
"What if it's not? What if it's just from another descent? Brother, that almost killed us!"
Almost, if only the Ki'zaar didn't redirect the attack to the sky.
"Mother said to take care of him. And I can feel it. He's our brother, Valor. Look at him again. Mother is a sky dragon. His color was their colors combined. Midnight blue."
Prince Valor still stubbornly refused to believe it. He crossed his arms.
"Still---!"
"Valor,"
He was taken aback when he saw the look on the Ki'zaar's face.
"He was left here all alone for we don't know how many years. Alone. Stop doubting and believe. That baby dragon is our brother. He only tried to hurt us because he probably thought we invaded his territory. He probably thought that we are dangerous, a threat. So, enough. He is our adorable brother."
The baby dragon pushed the empty plates off the altar when he's finished eating. It opened its mouth to burp, but unconsciously shoot another Star Blast to the skies. Much powerful than before.
The Ki'zaar may be smiling, but he's shaken.
How could a feeble baby dragon shoot Star Blast from its mouth like it's his dragon breath?
Prince Valerian popped behind him and pat his head.
"Hello, little Uncle! You ate well! I'm happy for you!"
The men looked at the place where he was standing just a few seconds ago, and then panicked now that they realized where he is.
"Prinsiaze! The Prince is wild and untamed! Please return!"
Solana bends her body to the side to look at them, "Huh? Kuya Valerian, will it hurt us? I don't want to get hurt!"
Lord Feryzen almost lost his mind when His Equal's child spawned with them out of nowhere.
Prince Valerian laughed and climbed the altar just so he could let the dragon's head.
"Of course, not! This is my Uncle! A dragon! Isn't he cool? He won't hurt us---" He suddenly stopped when the baby dragon opened its mouth and bit his hand.
"My little dragon!"
A trail of tear cascaded down the Prince's cheek. He kept his smile, but he couldn't keep his tears from falling.
"Dad, please help me. My baby uncle bit me."
Solana giggled. She found it funny, thinking that they're playing. She tiptoed to pet the baby dragon's head. Its eyes panned to look at her. The slit of its eyes dilated and let the Prince's arm go. The Ki'zaar lifted the Prince and checked his hand. It's bleeding, but the wound is not deep like his brother had no intention of eating his son for real.
"Hihi! You're so cute! Do you like me? I like you, too! Let's be friends!" Solana pet the baby dragon with both hands. The baby dragon smiled, it's tail is wagging fast like a dog. Its feet were even tapping lightly, dancing in delight.
"Brother, he's weird. And he bit the Prinsiaze!" Prince Valor hissed, glaring at his brother. When it sensed his intentions, it went to an offensive stance while baring its teeth.
"Stop it, Valor. Do not trigger him and be nice." The Ki'zaar sighed and healed his son. Finally, he approached his brother. The baby dragon stepped back bared his sharp teeth more as his eyes flare brighter.
The Ki'zaar smiled at him kindly and left his hand open before his brother.
"Don't fear me, for I am your brother. Come, take my hand. You're not alone anymore."
The baby dragon fired a Star Blast at him. The Ki'zaar tilted his head to the right to evade it. The baby dragon was taken aback and looked confused. It looked at Solana; she gave him two thumbs up with nods.
The baby dragon softened. It looked at the Ki'zaar. His eyes glowed: he's looking through him. It sniff the Ki'zaar's scent. Slowly, it walked closer until it rested his jaw on the Ki'zaar's hand.
The Ki'zaar smiled and pet him. The baby dragon smiled and squealed. Prince Valor gawked at them in disbelief.
"Let's name him, Ki'zaar," Lord Feryzen smiled as he harmlessly touch the smooth scales of his young nephew.
It didn't take long for the Ki'zaar to think of a name.
"Vyldread. Vyldread Zin Draji Teivel. That will be his name."
Prince Vyldread licked his face with a smile.