K U Z C O

The palace of the Emperor was as shining as it were any other day, a proud remark on the wealth and stability of the empire. It shone like gold, adorned with turqoise stones. All of it meant for one, of the utmost important individual in the *entire* world, obviously.

"Ya missing some food? Well just take mine, sheesh I got plenty to spare, right lads?" The emperor said, elbows shifting on the throne armrest to look over to the priest besides him. He stammered, almost like a little piglet. It was pathetic, really, but with Yzma gone, there werent a lot of people to fill in her small dainty shoes. Especially this one, who had a very.. large frame. Kuzco shook his head. "Ha! Glad to hear it, see? You're good to go now buh-bye." he said grinningly despite having heard not a single word.

The emperor stretched his arms up high, groaning in his misery of being held down by the earth. "By Inti its been a long day hasn't it? Ya know what? You can take the rest of the day off!" Kuzco declared, patting his priest on the back, who seemed to be conflicted all the more.

"B-but your majesty, theres more on the list and its only noon!" He cried. In return, Kuzco only groaned. "Okay, and who makes those lists!?"

...

Well certainly not either of them.

But the priest knew better, and looked downwards as he admitted "You.." defeatedly. Kuzco smiled, ever pleased with himself. "Exactly! Sooo off you go, Emperor needs his me-time." he said, politely shooing the priest away who scrambled off his feet surely enough. Kuzco sighed, pushing himself indignantly off his throne and turned to the rope that hung besides the platform. He grabbed it, sliding down and stopping with his foot once he was near the ground.

until he sneaks off to a hall the servants dont know of yet, shrouded in ominous darkness, though his crown reflected just enough light to shorten it just a bit. Kuzco shuffled through the darkness, the chamber echoed droplets of water. He wondered briefly about the stability of the aquaduct above, yet it didnt matter. No one knew of this room anyways. The walls were webbed and he kept his hands to himself out of fear there might be insects. Yet through it all, his eyes shone, seeing clearly through the shadows as though it were dusk. Shining just enough light upon the structure in front of him.

Two caskets, stone. Carved to precision and shining tainted gold with images of various things the world would hold. All the while skulls hung low from the spine and ribs were showing from cold flesh. Their faces sunken, yet there features visible. Their lips, their cheeks and noses were in tact, despite the darkness of them.

Kuzco stood in silence, solemnity overcoming but a smile ever present. He came down to his knees- he presumed he had to, despite how icky the floors were- and looked up at the two. There were creatures crawling around some place, in the corners, or perhaps on the two mummies themselves. He couldnt see.

Usually it was Yzma who did these things, communicate with the dead, she knew how. But she wasnt here. But Kuzco was the emperor, and he had the power to bring things to light and clarity. Even if shadows were meant to be untouched by his rule.

"Leave this place." A dark voice echoed. Great- right as he was about to open his mouth. Kuzco coughed in his hand. "Yeah see about that- I just need a few Itty bitty minutes! Its official business trust!" he urged. But the creatures soon crept into his space. He felt hands touching him, and he stood quickly, shivering from it. "Hey now! Lets not get too touchy alright? Whats the big deal anyway?"

A sigh was heard. Kuzco blinked, looking around. His hands stayed clenching his poncho as he briefly

His feet planted on the ground with a clear direction in mind as he swiftly went through the halls, passing by numerous people with the same old quips. Hows the wife and kids? Hows the grand nieces? Food still hot? Might be hungry in a bit. and the collection growsuntil he sneaks off to a hall the servants dont know of yet, shrouded in ominous darkness, though his crown reflected just enough light to shorten it just a bit. Kuzco shuffled through the darkness, the chamber echoed droplets of water. He wondered briefly about the stability of the aquaduct above, yet it didnt matter. No one knew of this room anyways. The walls were webbed and he kept his hands to himself out of fear there might be insects. Yet through it all, his eyes shone, seeing clearly through the shadows as though it were dusk. Shining just enough light upon the structure in front of him.

Two caskets, stone. Carved to precision and shining tainted gold with images of various things the world would hold. All the while skulls hung low from the spine and ribs were showing from cold flesh. Their faces sunken, yet there features visible. Their lips, their cheeks and noses were in tact, despite the darkness of them.

Kuzco stood in silence, solemnity overcoming but a smile ever present. He came down to his knees- he presumed he had to, despite how icky the floors were- and looked up at the two. There were creatures crawling around some place, in the corners, or perhaps on the two mummies themselves. He couldnt see.

Usually it was Yzma who did these things, communicate with the dead, she knew how. But she wasnt here. But Kuzco was the emperor, and he had the power to bring things to light and clarity. Even if shadows were meant to be untouched by his rule.

"Leave this place." A dark voice echoed. Great- right as he was about to open his mouth. Kuzco coughed in his hand. "Yeah see about that- I just need a few Itty bitty minutes! Its official business trust!" he urged. But the creatures soon crept into his space. He felt hands touching him, and he stood quickly, shivering from it. "Hey now! Lets not get too touchy alright? Whats the big deal anyway?"

A sigh was heard. Kuzco blinked, looking around. His hands stayed clenching his poncho as he briefly

"Look.. little emperor." the darkness said. Kuzco blinked, looking around. His hands stayed clenching his poncho as he briefly glanced towards the exit. But he could feel Supays breath in the humidity, odorless as rain, yet hot against his face. And although he couldnt see the darkness, he could almost make out the size with how the light refused to touch him. Kuzco took a step back, stumbling over a rock, but he carried himself with stability. Then he saw eyes- no, not eyes. He couldnt tell whether the darkness was pulling back, or if something within it had opened its eyes. But he almost saw pupils. Life of a corrupted, beguiling nature.

His heart pounded at the realization he wasn’t alone. Present in the chambers, and he could hardly see the shine of gold from the caskets anymore. Even the dripping had ceased, and out of sheer panic, the emperors mouth opened.

"Yeah I'll just visit another day! Nooo worries. I mean- its my house anyways, right?" He laughed. A hum was heard, and the faint glow of the moon shone through the window between the two caskets. The cold light had illuminated more of the room, the faces of the two bodies, suddenly looked less displeased. Almost merciful and soft.

Kuzco looked down, realizing he was already at the entrance to the room, and closed the door.