an empty beer bottle shatters on impact the moment eustass kid chucks it at the wall near your head; thankfully your keen senses allow you to miss the attack, just barely.

“care to explain,” you say as carefully and as cordially as you can, teeth grinding against each other every time you pause to calm yourself, “why the entire fuck did you throw that at me?” you keep your distance from your hot-tempered captain, staring fiercely at him, not at all fazed by his intimidating presence.

kid pours himself a glass of scotch and ignores you altogether, grunting noisily before downing the drink all at once.

“kid,” your tone is anything but amiable, he can taste your annoyance even from across the room; everyone had cleared the kitchen once you and kid started arguing — the crew has been privy to one too many explosive fights and they were tired of breaking them up. when it doesn’t look like he’s going to answer truthfully, you roll your eyes and toss your hair over your shoulders. “know what? i’m done, i’m leaving this stupid ship, because there’s no way i’m going to survive with a shitty captain like you.” the words leave your mouth much too fast, spurned by the two glasses of wine you had previously.

you weren’t even mad that he threw the bottle, you were used to the outbursts and you were equally as destructive as he was — much to the chagrin of your crew mates, who constantly reminded the two of you to figure something out quickly.

kid knows better than to encourage you to leave, even though the words touch the tip of his tongue, but he thinks better of it and says nothing. instead, he fills another glass and drinks again.

“do whatever you want,” he dismisses you with a wave of his hand, eyes closing as he lounges on a chair lazily. he doesn’t mean it, of course, but you decide to interpret that as him giving you permission. bile rises to the back of your throat, and you will yourself not to let a single tear fall. you sniff loudly and turn your face away before storming out of the kitchen.

you bump into killer on your way out, but before he can ask what’s wrong you run off. he doesn’t chase after you as he has a sinking feeling that you and kid had yet another fight that requires his mediation.

a thankless job if anyone were to ask him.

he finds kid with his eyes closed and a frown stitched onto his face. killer sits across from his captain and sighs loudly.

“start from the beginning,” he says smoothly, watching kid carefully to see if he’s actually going to give him the whole story this time.

kid doesn’t move for a long moment, but he knows he can’t avoid killer so he relents. he tries not to think about the shape of your mouth, or the curve of your hips; he tries and tries and tries, but he can’t get your face out of his head.

“it’s not a big deal,” kid says gruffly, voice low, irritation spiking all over again when he slams the glass on the wooden table — the force of it rattling the furniture nearby.

killer crosses his arms against his chest and fixes kid with a steely glare, one that penetrates through his mask. still, kid insists on pleading his case.

“you know she argues with me on purpose, why are you always on her side?” he will never understand; if anything, his crew should side with him always. loyalty above all else, after all. there’s no legitimate reason for why you and kid are always at each other’s throats — it’s probably because you’re more alike than you think and your stubbornness always clashes with his; he’s also controlling and bossy, pigheaded and a pain in your ass.

and yet, there you are, sighing in defeat as you press your face into your pillow and try not to scream.

the funny thing is, as much as you both like to deny it, everyone can see that this is pent up sexual frustration that will implode sooner rather than later. kid would rather gut himself than admit that he likes you, would rather swallow nails for ninety days before confessing to you first. similarly, you hate the idea of him having this sort of power over you — that’s what you tell yourself anyway; if he knew how much you liked him, then you’d never hear the end of it.

his ego knows no bounds and you don’t know if you’d be able to tolerate him being that smug around you.

still, you’re sorely tempted to just tell him and get it off your chest; maybe if he sees where you were coming from, then he’ll ease up. you doubt it, though. while you’re not oblivious to the heated looks that kid gives you, if you give into that desire, there’s no coming back from it unscathed.

your poor battered heart can only take so much, you need to protect it from men like him — men who come in like storms, wrecking your life without remorse.

killer’s lecture only pisses kid off even more, but his best friend has never steered him wrong, so he takes his advice seriously. his issue with you is so painfully simple that if you knew you’d make fun of him forever — at least, that’s what he thinks anyway.

his attraction to you has only grown stronger over the years and you have an iron grip on him without even realizing. he fucks other people to get you out of his head and it only gets worse. you tried your best to flirt around in the hopes of finding someone to take your mind off him, but everyone you meet pales in comparison.

there’s never anything wrong with them — they’re just, so nice, so… tame. and you hate that kid has gotten you accustomed to a certain kind of chaos that you crave without meaning to. you know that you’re much too intense for just anyone to handle, so you don’t try that hard anymore. for some reason, this pleases kid more than it should. he actively sabotages anyone’s interest in you for the sole purpose of keeping you to himself, all without telling you, of course.

killer wants to tell you to wise up about kid, but knows that it’s not worth it; you won’t listen to reason anyway, will you?

you like to lie to yourself and say that you hate him, but you know you don’t. and kid doesn’t want to admit that part of the reason why he likes you so much is because you’re dismissive around him and are one of the few people who dares to talk back to him. he likes that part of you so much that he’s sure it’s an unhealthy obsession at this point — hence why he’s always acting out whenever you’re nearby.

you know you should just let it go, try to find a middle ground with him — and he keeps telling himself that if he fucks you once, maybe you’ll calm down and stop nagging him so much.

one can only hope, right?

after docking the ship on a small island, you take to exploring around the closest town. the others follow kid to a pub and drink heavily. because it’s packed inside, kid opts to finish his drink outside, where the breeze caresses his skin gently; he finds solace in the cool evening temperature and almost heads back in when he hears laughter.

a few feet away, you’re standing with an unknown man — a civilian from town, most likely — smiling like a mischievous cat, batting your eyelashes and touching his arm every so often. kid narrows his eyes, jaw clenched as he finishes his drink, his anger steadily rising at the sight.

you’re in the middle of accepting a date, when kid calls your name out. loudly.

you try to ignore him, but you know that he’ll only be tempted to do something outrageous so you apologize to the stranger and stomp over to your nosy ass captain.

“what do you want now? can’t you see i’m busy.” your face is flushed from embarrassment — and the stranger leaves once he sees the fierce look kid gives him from over your head — and anger, a deadly combination that makes you look every bit as cute as you are alluring.

 he wishes you’d stop being attractive so he can get over you quickly; but yet there you are, fussing at him without a care in the world. your lack of fear only makes him want you more. he licks his lips and motions for you to follow him back to the ship.

“i’m not going anywhere,” you say, holding your ground and not moving an inch.

kid swivels on his heels and his audacity reaches new bounds when he says, “either you walk on your own or i carry you. either way, you’re getting back on the fucking ship.”

something about that stirs something forbidden inside of you, a wicked heat that makes you squirm a bit under his gaze. if you don’t comply that’ll complicate things, but if you do that’ll only mean you’re giving in to his demands and you don’t want that.

right?

lips parted, an argument rolls onto your tongue, but he grabs your face roughly with his hand and stops you from saying another word. “i’m serious.” and you know he is. you swallow hard and nod, following after him quietly, heart beating much too fast. you tell yourself you’ll make it out of this in one piece, but you make the mistake of following kid back to his room, all of your self-preservation thrown out of the window when you close the door behind you and sigh.

kid’s anger nearly blinds him; he didn’t think he’d ever be that jealous, but he saw the way your soft features were illuminated in the moonlight, and it became painfully obvious that he wanted you to look at him like that too. but, again, stubbornness and cowardice work in tandem, making it easy for him to avoid that sort of vulnerability for the time being.

“you can’t keep bossing me around, you don’t get to tell me what to do,” your words come out sharp, but your voice lowers when he steps closer to you and backs you against the door. “you also can’t get jealous because you and i aren’t dating.” this is the first time you’ve actually said that out loud to him; he considers your words, but only chuckles darkly in response.

“and that’s where you’re wrong.”

you stare at him, wide-eyed; what an impossible man. whatever residual irritation you have steadily dissipates, as you try to tell yourself that fucking eustass kid will only bring you more headaches. but then he pushes his leg in between yours, and then you’re leaning into him, back arching, chest heaving the moment he kisses you.

there’s nothing delicate about the way kid handles you; with brutish strength, he rips through most of your clothes, laughing when you shriek and chastise him over it. he kisses you repeatedly, tongue swiping against yours playfully as he grabs your ass. heat courses through your body viciously, making you pull away so you can unbuckle and unzip his pants, stroking his stiff cock without prompting, admiring the length and thickness.

this man will be the death of you, that much is certain. but you’re going to enjoy the ride the entire time regardless.

you sink to your knees, the wooden floor cool against your skin. you run your tongue along the length of his cock, soft hands massaging his balls with skill and ease. kid fights to not moan your name, instead opting to tug on your hair roughly. “stop teasing me,” he says in a low, gravelly voice, lust fueling his thoughts and actions.

he’s trying to be considerate, but at the pace you’ve set, he has half a mind to just take over; but he lets you have the reigns briefly, watching you with half-lidded eyes, tongue gliding along his bottom lip as you suck on the thick head of his cock.

“fuck.”

you take that as confirmation to continue, looking up at him, desire burning through you as you open your mouth and slacken your jaw to take in more of him. whatever you can’t fit in your mouth, you compensate by using your hands. his hips jerk forward, and he braces his heavy, mechanical arm against the door, while his other hand grabs onto your hair and tugs you off him.

“make it sloppy,” he says roughly, and you squeeze your thighs together, plush lips parted as you exhale deeply. you know better than to disobey that command, so you give him what he wants, bobbing your head up and down his cock, hands twisting and pumping around the base. your saliva coats his length and he sucks in a harsh breath when you moan and suck on his tip, persistent and playful.

he ends up thrusting into your mouth, cock gliding further down your throat with his help. you let him fuck your face, his groans loud, vibrating along your skin, making your pussy slick with your arousal. his hips jerk forward, his breathing uneven as you hold onto his thighs for support. if he doesn’t fuck you soon, you might pass out honestly. he knows if he continues, he’ll only end up cumming in your mouth and he doesn’t want that just yet.

when he tosses you onto the bed, you get on all fours, tempting him with your ass — that he’s admired for far longer than necessary — you look over your shoulder at him, lips swollen from his kisses. he thinks you look pretty like that, a dazed look on your face, insatiable in your desire for him. he’s in the same exact boat as you, muscles tensing as he pulls the rest of his clothes off.

you shiver slightly, rub your lips together and let out a shrill whimper when he licks along your slit, your arousal dripping onto his tongue once it slides in between your folds. you don’t think you’ve ever had someone taste you like that — like you’re a coveted fruit, like you’ll disappear if he doesn’t devour you whole right now. kid eats your pussy with fervor, leaving open-mouthed kisses and slurping messily.

grabbing at the bed sheets, you make an attempt to shift away from him, but he holds you steady, tongue circling dangerously around your throbbing clit. you yelp, cry out loudly, and beg for more.

he hums absently, before he slides a thick finger inside of you, pumping it in and out, watching as you fuck yourself against his hand once he inserts another finger. he scissors them recklessly, and you shamelessly buck against him before he swaps his fingers for his tongue.

“yes, fuck, right there,” you chant, breathing erratic as you chase the high that kid is dangling right in front of you. he’s barely holding on himself, but he has a point to prove. he swipes at your clit again, flicking his tongue against it before sucking on it hard. a flash of white blinds you, and when you cum forcefully enough to make you slump over.

still, kid’s not done with you.

he admires all the marks he’s left along your thighs and ass, smiling to himself haughtily. you know he’s probably grinning like a fool right now and you don’t even care to argue with him about it. you rub your ass against his cock once before he thrusts his cock inside of you; he grants you a bit of mercy, pausing so you can adjust to his girth before snapping his hips forward and fucking you at a merciless pace.

with a hand on your back, kid bucks his hips roughly against yours; your thighs tremble and your voice grows hoarse from how loud you’re moaning for him. the walls in the rooms aren’t thick, so no doubt some of your crew mates have heard you already — not that you care about any of that right now anyway.

his balls slap against you with each stroke, his cock burrowing deeper inside your cunt without remorse. he grabs you by the back of your hair and pulls you flush against his chest, back arching as he powers into you with short, frenzied thrusts. your pussy is soft and warm around him, making him think irrational, impossible things — making him want to be different with you.

the pads of his fingers are rough when they rub against your clit, and he wraps an arm around you to keep you close as he fucks you faster. sweat pools at your temples, the room is hot but not uncomfortable. he pushes you down onto the bed, pulling out of you momentarily and panting lightly. when he enters you again this time, he plunges in deep enough to have you babbling incoherently as tears glide down your round cheeks.

he laughs at your whimpering. “big baby,” he says teasingly, the taunt dark with intent. “all that mouth but you can’t take my cock, what a damn shame.” you know he’s joking, but your face burns with shame anyway.

“shut up,” you manage to say with great difficulty, moaning shamelessly as he rolls his hips against yours. kid presses a kiss to the side of your neck, and you’re surprisingly okay with the intimacy — and he is too.

strange. very, very strange.

it’s when he angles his cock like that that you cum again, clenching around his girth, holding him hostage as his thrusts become sloppier and frenetic. there’s a feral possessiveness that he exudes when he rolls you onto your back and throws your legs over his shoulders. you barely have the strength, but you do your best to keep up, hips lifting to meet his menacing strokes, pussy squelching loudly.

his bed sheets are soaked, but he doesn’t care; all he cares about is this. you. he realizes that now — very belatedly, but still. he finds himself tipping over the edge when you lean up to kiss him sweetly, almost affectionately. he meant to pull out so he could cum on your stomach and thighs but doesn’t, he cums inside you instead.

it’s thick and hot, you whimper against his lips pathetically, nails clawing along his back, head spinning from the intense way he fucked you.

after a minute or so, he pulls out and clarity hits him. you look over at him as he stretches out on his large bed, lazy like a mountain lion, eyes closed briefly. you wonder if this is where you get kicked out and you dread the walk back to your room — especially since kid rudely ruined your clothes. he feels you shift on the bed, arms and legs shaky as you sit up. he frowns, not liking the idea of you leaving and grabs onto your arm, tugging you towards him gently.

although with a man as large as him, his idea of gentle is different than most. you find yourself laying on top of his chest, confused but also content, smiling secretly as you duck your head to avoid his gaze. he plays with your hair before yawning.

“i was going to—”

he pulls you closer and you clamp your lips together, afraid of saying anything else that might disrupt whatever peace has settled between you two.

kid hesitates only for a moment before saying, “stay.” it’s almost cute, the way he’s suddenly very demure, as if the idea of asking anyone to stay over has never occurred to him. but he knows that if he lets you leave, then things might go back to normal, and he doesn’t want that.

not that he knows what he wants exactly, but that’s beside the point. he’ll figure it out in due time, but for now, he’ll enjoy having your body next to his.

“Buddy, don’t you recognize us?” asked Lorcan, peering out from behind Temperance, “It’s me--Lorcan! And this is Temperance! We put you together, rememb--”

“He doesn’t remember.”

The two started, as a figure started climbing down off of AT-AT, jumping to land at his feet, before walking forward, brushing his black hair out of his face.

“AT-AT has had his original programming installed.” explained Sinizad, jerking a thumb at the war machine, “He can now fufil his original purpose. And that’s as a weapon.”

Before Temperance or Lorcan could say anything, a tall individual stepped forward, his robes fluttering around him, jewelry glinting in the morning sun. His hair was long and red as blood. Imperial horns were covered in gold ringlets, indicating some sort of royalty. But no one knew this dragon. All looked to one another, confused.

Who was he?

“Hello, everyone.” said the Imperial, voice as smooth as velvet, Light eyes practically glowing as he surveyed the clan before him, “Sorry to wake you so early, but I believe it’s finally time to introduce myself. I am Janto--your new Emperor.”

Murmurs immediately sprang up.

“Emperor?”

“Who is this guy?”

“What does he mean by ‘Emperor?’”

Janto let the murmurs continue, before he spoke again, “I’ve been...observing...this clan for some time, and I’ve come to see that your clan leaders have all but abandoned you. You’re leaderless. You need a leader...a teacher...someone to guide you through life, and help you live.”

Commandant stepped forward, eliciting dark mumbles and glares in his direction. He ignored them all.

“Emperor Janto will lead us to to a better life.” he started explaining, hands clasped behind his back, “He has the resources to make sure we are all protected and safe. No longer, will we be threatened. For we have the power to crush anything that stands in our way...”

“Or anyone?”

Nariko stepped forward. Her grief from before had passed, and now she stood strong. In her anger, sparks of electricity danced across her body, as she leveled the Pearlcatcher with a glare, “So you finally got the army you were always wanting? I bet you were glad to overthrow Khan and Tarcy, and join up with this dictator.” She nodded her head towards Janto, who only watched her calmly, “You betrayed everyone here, Commandant. How dare you--”

She stepped forward, only to have someone step inbetween her and Commandant.

The smaller Major glared at Nariko, hand outstretched, cannon at the ready. Electricity sparked from it. Everyone noticed a few changes in Major. She not only seemed more streamlined, but even from the sidelines, the electrical energy coming from that cannon in her hand could be felt. Though it didn’t rival Nariko’s own self-generated electricity, which sparked even more as she stared down Major.

“Move...or I’ll fry you both.” growled Nariko, taking a step forward, only causing Major to lift her hand up even more.

“Ladies, ladies...” cooed Janto, raising his hands...and without even touching them, lifted them up off of the ground and moved them apart. Major seemed annoyed, but didn’t say anything. Nariko struggled a little, and stumbled when she was put down onto the ground, staring wide-eyed at Janto, who just smiled.

“And since I’m now the clan’s Emperor...” he started, looking around at everyone, raising his voice a little to make himself heard, “You will be following me. We are leaving the Wind territory.”

This was met with outcry.

“No!”

“We can’t leave!”

“What if Khan and Tarcy come back?”

“This is our home!”

Janto let out a sigh, shaking hsi head, before gesturing for Sinizad to get back onto AT-AT. He watched the Chiss climb up the war machine, before looking at the clan, a cruelness shining in his bright eyes.

“...It is no longer your home. And now...” He raised his hand, and AT-AT whirred to life, taking aim at a few of the dens surrounding them, “You have one hour to gather what you can. Take only what you can carry. For if you’re not all back out here within the hour...”

He dropped his hand. AT-AT’s head swiveled around, and took aim at the library. Within to shots, it practically exploded, and was destroyed. Ryn nearly fainted on the spot, as all of his word was destroyed within seconds.

“NOW!”

At Janto’s cry, the clan scrambled back into their dens, packing what they could. At his side, other than Commandant and Major, was Kinosri, Erin, a pastel colored Imperial, and a brightly colored Coatl. Janto turned slightly to look at them all, muttering a soft order to Kinosri, before turning back towards the clan, just simply waiting.

And, within the hour, everyone was gathered back in the center of the clan. Some were carrying loads with them, while others only had a few items in bags. Janto nodded with approval, recounting to make sure everyone was out. Well, even if they weren’t done packing...

“Good. You listen well, for a clan of nobodies.” said Janto simply, shrugging, “You’ve much to learn. But it’s good to have loyal, obedient peoples. Makes for a better Empire...” He heard the murmurs of distrust, and fear. He could practically taste the nervousness and fear in the air, from the clan. It was hard to tell where it originated, and which individuals were the ones giving it off. But it didn’t matter.

Tilting his head up, he looked at AT-AT, seeing Sinizad perched up there, “Tlas’iniza’doazzag!” he called out, using the Chiss’s full name, “Fire at will!”

Sinizad nodded, slipping his goggles over his eyes...as AT-AT started spitting out laser bolts.

Cries of anguish and fear rose from the clan, as they huddled against one another, watching helplessly, as their clan is destroyed. Dens are easily leveled within a few blasts. The healer clinic is completely leveled. Maverick’s ranch is decimated. Vino and Wijn’s vineyards are gone. The nursery is destroyed, and so is Khan and Tarcy’s home.

The Windcurrent Clan was completely demolished within just a few minutes.

“Our new home--the Executrix Empire--awaits.” hissed Janto, stepping forward, “Your clan is no more. You no longer have a home. If you join the Empire, you will be given a place to live. Those that do not wish to, you will be...accommodated...though survival is entirely up to you.”

Janto moved to turn around, before pausing, “That reminds me...”

Gesturing forward, Kinosri had returned, with Isolde by his side...and a familiar Imperial between them.

“Yomigami!”

Indeed, it was the former second in command. However, he looked quite worse for wear. He was ragged. He was too skinny, and his clothes--what remained of them--hung from his body. And he was a bloodied mess. One eye was practically swollen shut, and other wounds were on his body, messily wrapped with already crimson bandages. Everyone thought him dead, until he was tossed to the ground, and let out a groan of pain. Nariko immediately rushed to his side, as did Jay and Maelgwyn.

“He’ll live.” said Kinosri idly, looking at them huddling around Yomigami’s unconscious form, “His life is not in danger.”

“I will give you all one more hour.” stated Janto, turning around, sweeping his robes with him, “Do what you must, but after the hour, we leave. If you wish to stay and die, be my guest. If you want a chance to live, come with me.”

The group left without another word, with AT-AT’s footsteps making the ground shake in his wake.

As they walked along, Erin turned to Janto, curiously, “My Lord...a question, if I may.”

“You may.” said Janto, his tone indicating he was in rather high spirits.

“Where will our Empire be?” she asked, “You said we’re not staying here, but where will we go?”

“To the Lightning territory.” said Janto, glancing over at her with a victorious smile, “I already have everything set up over there. The palace is ready to move in to, and the city around it is ready to accept more into their fold.”

Erin blinked, surprised, “...Not to question your actions, but Lightning, my Lord? Why not Light, where we both hail from?”

Janto shook his head, looking forward again, “The Light territory has given me all I needed. I need more. The Lightning territory is famous for its science and industry. I had control while in Light, but in Lightning? I’ll have power...” A wicked grin cut across his features, “Weapons of all sort at my disposal, a powerful fortress to block out the unworthy and treasonous...It’s perfect.”

“Yes, My Lord. It is.” said Erin, bowing her head respectfully, “All hail the Empire.”

Her words were echoed, murmured by the rest of Janto’s group that walked with him.

“All hail the Executrix Empire...” purred Janto, loving how it sounded on his tongue.

----------

Once everyone had gotten over the shock, the loss of their clan, they started moving. They huddled together, staying close, afraid to lose one another, after loosing their entire clan. Many were crying. Out of grief, and out of anger. Jay had switched to his dragon form, carrying the injured Yomigami, while Nariko tended to him.

“Dear...” Nuoenii appeared at Issak’s side, gently touching his arm to let him know that she was there. He jumped a little at her voice, but relaxed instantly. The explosions...while his sight was gone, he could feel each fire of AT-AT’s lasers, and could practically feel the destruction it caused. Their clan was gone. Their home was gone.

And now the pilgrimage began.

“Yes, my dear?” asked Issak, keeping one hand on his walking staff, the other holding a bundle close to his chest.

“I have to ask...” she started, looking at said bundle, “...You’ve had that bundle, since even before we had to gather our things. What’s in it?”

Issak’s lips twitched, almost smiling, before looking around. Seeing this, Nuoenii placed her hand on his shoulder again.

“No one’s listening. What is it?”

“Well...” started Issak, his voice low, “...Tarcy came by the nursery the other day....”

“She did?!” gasped Nuoenii, Arcane eyes wide, “Wha...Why didn’t you say anything? We could’ve made her stay--”

“I tried to stop her...” said Issak, pain evident in his voice, “But before I could get to the door, she was gone. And she left behind...this.”

He gestured to the bundle, nodding for Nuoenii to unravel it slightly. And so she did. Underneath all the blankets was a small, huddled hatchling. A Ridgeback. With Wind eyes, as he stared up at Nuoenii, blinking sleepily. He yawned, before curling back up into Issak’s chest, snoring softly within moments.

“I’ll be Arcanist damned...” Nuoenii breathed, covering the child back up, “...Her and Khan’s son?”

Issak nodded.

Nuoenii moved the blankets aside a little, before something caught her eye, “Ah...there’s a note on him.”

“A note?” Issak looked over at Nuoenii, “I didn’t see a note...”

He paused. Nuoenii paused. Then both started chuckling softly.

The head knight took the note away from the hatchling, and looked it over, “Ah,  he has a name...”

“Oh?” Issak looked at the note...or where he thought the note was, and was in fact a few inches off, “What does it say? What’s his name?”

Nuoenii smiled warmly--the first warm smile in many, many months, “...Alderoy. His name...is Alderoy.”

---------

And so the remnants of the Windcurrent Clan traveled Northeast, taking what they could carry. But no longer were they the Windcurrent Clan. That was left behind in ruins in the Wind territory.

Now...Now they were just a bunch of dragons, being lead into Janto’s Executrix Empire...