#crownedconflagration

> His descendant, the Fireblood, and the Fireblood’s mute servant are all witnessing his sobbing descent into madness. He’s shuddering, trying to pull away from the touches against his skin as Karkat tries his royal fingerprint to unlock the cuffs.

“HEAT SIGNATURE DENIED.”

> They’re all fakes. Lowbloods from another universe, sent here in children’s bodies to torment him. His struggle is barely a flop, eyes half closed and senses dulled besides the terror and insanity emanating from the cuffs around his wrists.

> The little servant boy steps up. His collar is removed. Strange, the Fireblood’s fingerprint works there...

> Then there are cold hands on his own, and he squeaks in protest and tries to wiggle away.

“HEAT SIGNATURE ACCEPTED.”

> The cuffs fall away without the need for the tiny blueblood’s strength. His hands fall to the floor in front of him, and one of them comes up to halfheartedly claw at the cuff on one set of doubled horns.

> There are hands reaching for him, and he bites out at them again. They bypass his teeth, heading toward the remaining cuffs. Another successful electronic message, and the pressure finally releases.