The throne room was a sight to behold, with every detail meticulously designed to convey power and opulence. The walls were constructed of dark, polished stone adorned with intricate carvings. The floor was covered in rich, crimson carpets that cushioned the footsteps of those who traversed the room.
The centerpiece of the room was the throne itself, a massive, intricately carved chair made of ebony wood and adorned with gold filigree. The back of the throne was high and imposing, towering over all who approached it, and the seat was cushioned with velvet, the color of blood. The arms of the throne were designed to resemble twisted blades, each one ending in a sharp point.
The guards who stood watch over the room were equally impressive, clad in semi-futuristic-looking armor that gleamed in the dim light. Their chest plates and helmets were decorated with intricate patterns of red and black, matching the color scheme of the room. Each guard carried a sword at their side, the blade polished to a mirror-like sheen.
The lights that line the walls flicker with an otherworldly blue flame, casting eerie shadows across the room. The air was heavy with the scent of incense, adding to the aura of mystery and power that permeates the space.
The throne room was a vision of grandeur and power. The one seated on the throne exuded an aura of sheer intimidation. Despite being seated, it was clear he was a tall man. He had a head of flowing, pitch-black hair with contrasting blood-red eyes that seemed to passively peer at everything they looked at.
He had a handsomely sculpted face with a sharp jawline; were it not for his almost murderous gaze, he would no doubt garner more positive attention. And the young man was outfitted with perfectly crafted silver armor, a full chest piece, shoulder pads, braces, and sabotans, all adorned with a gleaming red pattern, and lastly, the same colored cape was draped over his shoulders.
He sat on the throne almost robotically. He did not move an inch, and his eyes never traveled long. Though this was a fact, the guards within the room did not seem to mind or were too used to it.
The large, gleaming iron doors to the throne room opened themselves as a man entered. He had a head of wild lilac hair, and he was outfitted in a dark-coated uniform adorned in red. As the man moved through the throne room, he came to a stop at the steps leading to the throne. He bowed briefly as he fixed the glasses on his face.
"Greeting Prince Avice." The man greeted as the prince in question greeted the man with a neutral gaze.
"Professor." Avice greeted. "You come here bearing news on Project Omega, no doubt." He surmised. The professor grinned, excitement coursing through him at having the chance to explain his recent breakthrough.
"Yes, my prince, we've come with a breakthrough." He started ecstatic. "We've managed to make it fully operational!"
"I see." Prince Avice spoke with a small hint of satisfaction. "Father will be pleased."
"Yes, my prince." The professor agreed. "This is not mentioning the dragon core we've used; it seems a perfect fit." The man informed.
"Interesting. But how well will it perform against the Inheritors of the Verdantis region?" Avice questioned.
"Well, its raw output should match that of an Inheritor." The professor started. "We must just make a few adjustments to its joints, and then it should be apt for a combat encounter." The professor explained. Avice hummed, taking in all of the information.
The prince opened his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted.
"How truly interesting." A pompous voice resounded in the throne room. "To think Omega was already made operable. As expected of the technology of the Vel'ryr empire." From the shadows behind the throne, a figure emerged. He was a man, a tad younger than the prince himself. Short but neat black hair and eyes as red as Avice's own.
A condescending smirk seemed permanently ingrained in his pale, handsome face. His clothes fit him well: a black button shirt, a black tie, slacks, and dress boots of the same color. As well as a Vel'ryr military coat slung over his form, black in color and adorned with red.
"Aegraxes." Avice hissed out, annoyed, as he shot a sharp glare at the appearance of the sudden man. Yet despite his intrusion, the guards in the throne room did not act, and the professor merely furrowed his brows at the appearance of the man.
Prince Avice merely raised his right hand, snapping his fingers together. It was as if a sudden switch had gone off for the guards within the room. Simultaneously, the guards turned their heels and exited the room with surprising robotic-like swiftness.
"You are also dismissed, professor." He spoke to the professor with a neutral glance.
"Of course, my prince." As swift as he could, he did not waste any time exiting the throne room after the guards. Eventually, leaving Avice and Aegraxes alone within the confines of the throne room.
"My, my, you truly are the spitting image of your dear old father while you're on the throne." Aegraxes mused, comfortably leaning against the throne.
"You've nerve to show your face after your failure, demon." Avice spat out, not even sparing the now-identified demon a glance. Said demon shrugged as if he could care less.
"It was Nybbas and Asmodai who failed, not I." Aegraxes corrected, pulling himself away from the throne.
"Those two's failures are yours as well, demon." Avice stated. "Our intelligence stated the Headmaster was absent at the time; the only threat should have been the spawn of the magic Goddess."
"True." Leisurely, he moved down the steps leading to the throne, stopping midway and taking a seat. "Our original goal was to retrieve 'that' which lies within the confines of the academy. With the spawn of Octavia being an Inheritor herself, she was the only threat. Either one of my comrades could have kept her busy while the other retrieved what we came for."
"Yet they failed; your words are naught but air."
"Well, it seems there were unforeseen circumstances that have led to dear Asmodai being bedridden." Aegraxes mused. "But that is neither here nor there, I suppose." He threw a glance back at the prince as he spoke. "We'll have a chance next time; for now, I suggest you focus a focus a lot on a means of combating the Inheritors of Verdantis."
"We're well on our way to some actual progress with Omega. It will combat those Inheritors with ease." Avice stated it almost boastfully.
"Mayhap." Aegraxes smirked. "But say, where are Daddy dearest and your siblings? I have not seen them around for quite some time now."
"Father remains a mystery, as always. I've no clue what that man is up to." Avice admitted. "He merely bid me to sit on the throne in his absence."
"And what of Amaury, Selwyn and the others? Knowing those latter two, I presume they are up to no good." Aegraxes surmised, keeping his smirk. Avice scoffed.
"You presume right demon; the fools wish to take part in the festival for the magic Goddess." He explained as Aegraxes hummed. "My other siblings are doing naught of note."
"The festival, a glorified tournament, no?"
"Correct, a game for savages. Those two will be right at home." Avice allowed a ghost of a smirk that immediately disappeared as soon as it appeared. "But enough conversing; what business do you have here? I imagine you did not come before me to merely converse."
"And what is wrong with some idle conversation?" Aegraxes questioned as he stood up from his seated position. "But you are right, I had some words for your father, but he is absent for the moment, so I shall come by again at a much later date."
Avice merely narrowed his eyes at the demon as a dark fog enveloped Aegraxes, seemingly swallowing his form; it dissipated in a near instance. Leaving Avice alone within the throne room. The prince frowned.
"Working with demons, how foolish." He muttered to no one but himself. He did not see the point in cooperating with such beings. Especially when Omega was almost fully operational. But it was at his father's behest; why that old fool would have them work with demons is beyond him.
But for now, he could do nothing but remain silent. He was but a prince, and not even the crown prince. His twin brother Selwyn had that honor for merely being brought into the world a few seconds earlier.
"Idiotic. That bloodthirsty fool could never be king." He chastised, but no one was there to hear it. He shook his head; his father would see who was better fit for the crown.
But for now, he would focus his efforts. While his siblings played the bloodthirsty savages they were, he would strategize. For soon, the Vel'ryr empire would declare war on the world and take what was truly hers.