#mlbb zhask

Dyrroth -

It was unfair. Life was unfair since they took the Princess' brother, the light and joy of the whole empire. You didn't meet him, of course. But you sure did hear a lot about how adorable of a baby he was. And how tragic the kidnapping was for everyone. You were pretty sure he was about your age, but why would you think about that when he's gone? You have no idea.

Maybe because it was the mental image of him older? Or maybe because you're just lonely in your own house. Either way, you think about the lost prince a lot. You even heard rumors that he's been coming to the forest, near the empire ever since the war ended.

That's why you found yourself dozing off in the forest a lot, instead of doing your job that you already forgot about in the first week. It was just something about the prince that made you think about him a lot. Would he have showered you with gifts as a friend? Would he have hugged you tightly as a sibling? Would he have kissed you a lot as a lover?

Well, in this faithful day, you're about to find out.

It was just a normal day of you roaming the forest. Almost normal, if you hadn't run into someone while you were sneezing. Of course you had to run into someone, why wouldn't you do that? You're you, after all.

"I'm so sorry!" You exclaim out of instinct, rubbing your head and reaching down to help the person below you, up. Due to your closed eyes, you couldn't see, but it was probably for the best. It was his voice that made you stop dead in your tracks, hand still holding the person's. Or, more accurately, Dyrroth. "I'm... sorry as well."

You weren't sure about the hesitation in his voice. You couldn't think, a future ruler of the Abyss was talking to you, the missing prince that you have been thinking about since forever! "Are you blind or something? Can't you open your eyes?" Dyrroth asked you, annoyance being heard in his voice while his hand tried to shake away from yours.

Only then did you pull away and turn your head to the side. Hand shaking from your anxiety. You thought he was gonna kill you right then and there— until you felt the soft touch of hands covering yours. "I'm not gonna hurt you. I just wanted to breathe from... well, if you know, you know where." His voice was weak, like he was truly opening up to you— a stranger he barely know of.

"Breathe? How am I gonna trust you?" You asked, slowly turning your head and; Hopefully meeting his face. It was silent, until he finally reminded you that; "You have no choice." You wanted to slap yourself for being so dumb, of course you had no choice! Sighing, you peaked from your left eye and looked at the demon infront of you.

He looked miserable, his eyes were puffy and his... outfit was messy. "You look horrible.. did you fight someone?" You asked, slowly reaching down to brush the excess dirt off his belt. He watched you intently. After his fight with Alice and him, he was desperate for some form of comfort from what you're doing. "You could say that." He answered after awhile.

You pursed your lips before pulling him to a nearby rock, sitting him down to ease the probably tension in his legs. Then, you asked; "Do you.. wanna talk about it, or something?" The look on his face says that he does, but he didn't answer.

He found it hard to believe that a stranger would be worried for him. He threatened you too! You should have been running away, and yet..

"If you hate it there. Why don't you come back? Why would you let those demons hold you captive when you know they need you alive to rule the Abyss?"

Your question made him stunned. The Abyss was his home, and he'll never hate it! The only thing was that he was scared. He was getting enraged, you were gonna be killed if you stay there with him. Before he could even think of saying it himself, the emotional part of him said it himself. "Shut it... don't say things like that."

You flinched slightly at the tone of his voice. But you didn't let up, and instead moved your hand to brush the dirty hair away from his face. His eyes glowed softly upon feeling your touch. "How about you say it? I'll listen until you let the feelings off your system." You offered, smiling cheekily at his silence. 'Hopefully he comes to his senses right after.'

"Say it? I only kill unworthy demons if I get emotional." He stated, brows furrowed while he subconsciously reached up to pull your hand off his hair. You simply laughed. Following up with a half-hearted joke. "Whoever took care of you is a bad influence."

Well... that joke probably set him off. Because you were pushed off the rock, and you found him gripping his horns. "Alice is not a bad influence! She helped me live! She took care of me with Thamuz!"

Alice and Thamuz..

You didn't hesitate, and went up to him. Hugging him tightly and not letting go, even when he continued to struggle from your hug. He didn't know what to do, you were in so close proximity that he should feel threatened. But he felt comforted instead! 'Thamuz wasn't wrong about violence, this was a form of violence. Right?!'

Dyrroth repeated every lesson from Thamuz in his head. He wanted so badly to push you off, but he also wanted to pull you closer. In the end, he gave in to his feelings and hugged you back. Sniffling from how emotionally conflicted he felt.

Ever since that day, he didn't stop visiting the forest to see you. He didn't stop learning the ways that he should've been learning, and he eventually... well, it's up to you to decide if he breaks free from Alice's influence or not.

Zhask -

The swarm... it was something you refused to go along with. Yet, Zhask continued the plan to devour every single ounce in the universe. You feared that your lover wasn't yours anymore. But you know he wasn't yours to begin with. You only trusted his words on his confession to you.

He had always been good with words. Swooning you with creative compliments, showing affection that no one had probably never thought of, treating you better than anyone.. was all of that to make you fill the role of his royal lover? A royalty who's purpose is to stand next to the king proudly, and help them in everything?

Because it certainly doesn't seem like that. He never lets you get in the way of his decisions, he's always ordering you around and never letting you tell him what's rational and not. He made you seem defenseless since, and you were more than frustrated after he had fought with another one of the planet's warriors and won without counter.

You desperately wanted to help, to pull yourself away from Zhask's grip as he attacks, and sends the swarm towards the person. But who were you to break free from your lover's grip? If you could even call him that..

As Zhask defeated, yet another attempt of someone assassinating him, you slowly started to break down. Tears falling down your cheeks and sniffles escaping your torn body. You hoped Zhask would ignore you like usual, but this time, he went ahead and looked at you. Adrenaline instantly disappearing upon seeing you crying.

'Why are you crying? Don't you feel how powerful we are? Don't you feel the bliss in having people attack you, but fail?'

For the first time, Zhask wasn't sure about why you're crying. Usually, he only had to reassure you that everything was gonna be okay, and kiss your tears away. But he.. couldn't do those things to comfort you. How can he comfort you? His precious lover?

He was too lost in thought to notice you were looking straight at him, hand clenching his staff as an odd thought came to mind. "Why.. Zhask?" You spoke, breaking Zhask away from his thoughts to comfort you. For the first time in awhile, he noticed how hurt your eyes look. The natural glow from them was fading, and you were trembling..

"Why.. what? We're gonna destroy everything! Can't you feel the satisfaction from that? Why are you even crying?!" The way he raised his voice made you flinch, as the continuous distruction from the swarm flowed through your ears. "Do you see how you ruined millions of species lives because of the swarm?!"

"Who cares about the species! We're still alive, aren't we?!" God, how you hated it when he treats others like they're trash. You couldn't believe him, so you were crying even more. Although this time.. the staff you and him were holding floated away, and instead— You were being held by Zhask instead.

The silence that followed, suffocated Zhask's thoughts about destroying every universe. He wanted to hear something from you.. something to made him feel powerful again when he's not destroying planets. But alas, only your occasional sniffles could be heard.

"My star.."

In any day that you couldn't hear the swarm, you would smile in joy. You would, if you just couldn't hear anything anymore. Even his voice. "Please come home, stop the swarm for a bit, or just leave them." You choked out, in between sobs. Earning Zhask the voice he wanted to hear, but not the tone and words he desired to hear.

Your hands tightened, and you sobbed into his chest. He was conflicted on whether or not he should stop to comfort you. If he does, the swarm will be left alone, and enemies may be able to kill them, furthermore, your planet will be destroyed from how exposed all of you were. "Please, Zhask." You pleaded, unaware that he was thinking about a way to spend time with you— Without letting anyone of his people die.

"Shh.. my star. Let me think, okay? I'm not gonna let this opportunity go for you, for us." He whispered to you, his claws running down the scales on your back— You felt the need to hug him tighter, but you were afraid to crack his body in half. So you held back, and subconsciously watched the staff float around you two. Your peripheral vision could see the swarm, but you kept your focus on the staff.

The feelings both of you developed was so complicated. It makes you dizzy, like you are right now. Tears was still flowing freely, and Zhask hasn't given you an answer yet. Was he just gonna tire you out so you can sleep? If so, it was definitely working, you crying was earning him a favor.

"We're gonna have a nice and long talk, okay, my star?"

"I don't want to talk.. Zhask."

"I know, my star, but you're confused as to why, correct? If we discuss it together, maybe we could understand each other.."

You let out a small cry in disapproval. But eventually, he whispered the words that made you hope he has a chance of redemption.. "Your love can't overcome my desires of destroying everything, but our love together may prove otherwise.."

"I don't want you to say our love may prove otherwise, I want to know if you truly love me!" You shouted, ears ringing after the swarm made a shout, a shout that you only hear if Zhask orders them to kill.. Did Zhask just try to kill you? What were you to him, really?!

"I'm so sorry, I'm sorry my star. I shouldn't have gotten so.. oh no.." Zhask panicked, nuzzling his covered mouth to your tear stained face. Another way to try and comfort you, but it didn't work. You were so scared, his creation was barely pushing its claws againts your scales, and you cried. Zhask couldn't see it, and pulled you closer, making you stop feeling the sharp claws againts you.

"My star, please don't cry, lets talk together, we're lovers. You're my lover. And I love you, I love you.."

Hopefully, his words are true, just like he said.. He loves you.

Kastiya.

Zhask's breath hitched, but it wasn't of the cold.

He remembered the planet he once lived on. Where he grew up, albeit traumatically. Where he had nobody to befriend or to bully. Where he spent his days alone save for dinnertimes and specific sessions.

But it was home after all, and his sentimentality got the better of him.

He remembered how the musicians on the street rubbed their instruments together, enhancing the atmosphere of the farmer's market. He remembered how the little spawns, used to mercilessly annihilate various other weaker planets, became ever so docile and tame in the presence of the Kastiyan children. He remembered the clear crystalline sky and how often he'd stare into its abyss, hoping that one day his life could change for the better.

It probably did, it probably didn't. Who's to say? Stranded on a deserted island with a living colony on a powerful planet to call home... being hunted down by his lightyear-to-lightyear crush... seeking a Kastiya II....

Freedom was what he'd wished for, and he was free now, so why did it still feel wrong?

Choo-choo! went Zhask's train of thought and farther on it went as he sifted through all the good memories he could find of his life back in Kastiya. They were few and far between, punctuated by tasteless shame and wrongdoings, but they existed nonetheless. It was hard to find one he hadn't repeated a thousand times, but he still tried to revisit something at least.

A few moments later, he came upon a memory he hadn't indulged in in a long time.

He was just a little grub, plump and stuffed full with salad dressings, rotten wood, and nuts. A king's boy, a prince soon to be larger than his own two parents. A squishy little smile spread wide upon his face.

His birthday.

A few moments prior Zhask had just emerged from his cozy little egg (which was getting too big for him at the time) and greeted the world with a sniff of the air and the smells of the food it brought with it. Imagine that! climbing out of your humble abode and the first things you sensed were nutritious meals fit for a king! No wonder he grew up to be a foodie!

His first taste was that of decaying wood crackers and boy did he love it; so much so that even now he finds the time to traverse the Land of Dawn to gnaw on some trees. He had so much to eat, he remembered, that he almost didn't notice the procession he was being brought into.

And there Zhask caught a glimpse of his kingdom.

Cheers eurupted from the diverse crowd, excited to see their future monarch. Lights of all colours and shapes decorated the pathway. He was being paraded through the streets in a little earthy carry-on pouch he would soon outgrow. It was overwhelming, but as long as he had his leaves to chew on, he was certain everything would be alright.

He had his future told to him and choirs sung to his birth. He was given a tour of the entire planet with no space left uncovered. He was given various gifts from various individuals with various talents. He was even visited by a strange one-eyed figure, a magician he could no longer recall the name of, who became one of his only friends the world had to offer. They were no longer in touch now, but he hoped they could meet again soon.

Then came the moment he met his army. The Spawn. They bowed down to him and swore in their own chittering language to forever remain loyal to him and whatever cause he stood for.

And then it was time for bed. Thus the memory ended.

His first birthday. The most precious memory he'd kept for so long.

Zhask couldn't recall many other birthdays with similar proceedings or events. All others were mostly standard ones, nothing special (despite all of them being special in their own special way to him). There WAS one where he was given his staf- no that was the seventh anniversary of his coronation day.

A slight tap on his foot brought the wandering king back to reality. Looking down, he met a young spawn. It seemed freshly hatched and curious of the world.

Much like him when he was younger.

He knelt down and picked it up with barely any resistance save for a shocked bounce from it. It was small, smaller than the average size, but that was nothing to discriminate of. So was he, once.

The sentiment Zhask felt for this particular spawn grew into a blooming wheatfield and he affectionately decided to name it and officially designate it as his personal pet. Now if only he could find a name....

Now, he was one for creative names chock-full of symbolism. Which word should he pick for this little one. He thought it should be close to that of Domorey, the Nightmaric Spawn enslaved to his bidding.

Nightmaric... yes, Meric would do.

He spoke it, and the singular eye of the critter beamed bright red. Or at least presumably, given his apparent colour-blindness. No matter. The deal was sealed and now little Meric was precious to him.

Now where was he? Birthdays? No, back to the beginning. Yve? No, way farther back.

Ah yes.

What day was it?

Turning on his claws, Zhask trekked back to his cozy little haven. A small cove full of stolen trinkets and other miscellanous finds, with a few larger spawns guarding the area. Setting down Meric into a little wooden chair he built himself from driftwood, he began to sift through the yellowed pages of a record book by his nestside.

Fourteenth of January... twenty-fourth of March... first of April... ahh yes, toda-

Today was his birthday.

And he had completely forgotten about it.

Time seemed to pass by a lot slower in his current area so he still had some spare hours to spend. But what should he do?

He asked Meric, awaiting an answer, but the little spawn could only chirp and chitter out its reply. Food, sleep, kill, and other similar answers.

But he still wasn't satisfied, so he paced around his room.

Fortunately, his gaze came to turn upon a desk of documents worn with age. His old writings. He remembered the tales he used to string like fine-woven silk. His father never liked it, though his mother inspired him in any way she can. He'd always been a mama's boy as far as he could tell. The memory brought a bittersweet smile to his face.

Who knows if anybody was even still alive after the explosion?

Those cursed Mithlorians, meddling around with business they should've left for casual. Now instead of sportlike destruction, they had brought a plague upon the universe. Even the young Yve, he admitted reluctantly.

A sense of homesickness washed over him, and it seemed Meric could feel it too. It chirped a little click which caught Zhask's attention. Yes, going back to search Kastiya for anything was probably a good way to spend this special day. It was probably going to hurt him, but anything was better than staying one more second in this snowstorm.

So once more he picked up his precious Meric and, with a memo to his guards, set off to a place where he could safely teleport to Kastiya.

Tunneling below the Earth for about half a mile away from his base, he emerged from the ground and walked on five more, just to appease his inner anxieties. As soon as he saw that it was probably enough distance that he might not be traced back to his humble abode, he stopped in his tracks and set down Meric on the cold white powder underfoot.

For his tenth birthday, he had learned how to make portals, and the risks of them as well given how messed up the time-space continuum could get. He had made a few in his lifetime, and they had never failed him once. He wasn't frightened of the risks either, given how his mental capabilities were stronger than most other Kastiyans.

But he had to make this one last. He had an agenda in mind, and he was not holding back on it. He realised that he forgot to bring Domorey with him, but no matter. The space-time rift energy she had absorbed was majoratively transferred to him. He chuckled at the thought of the reason why Yve never caught up to him on time: every single time he passed through the portals, Domorey would suck just enough of its energy to alter its coordinate-perception and send Yve to a different area than him. And that energy he absorbed for backup purposes.

Catching himself up in his dilly-dallying again, Zhask refocused on the task at hand. A finger to his head, he focused his energy on the space infront of him.

Soon, a portal came to life before them, but not to Kastiya. This wasn't what he was looking for.

Reaching into the portal, he extended his claws and slowly curled them until at long last he managed to snag it on something. The fabric of space-time. He pulled on it and the portal burst. It would've killed most individuals, but he'd suffered worse. Also fortunately, poor little Meric was just out of blast-range so it remained unharmed, albeit a little shaken.

The risk was calculated, but the Planes Dominator was good at math. Lo and behold, there lay the foundations of what remained of Kastiya.

His heart sank. He remembered the day. He remembered the screams and shrieks of the young and the old, the strong and the poor, as the flames baked their bodies to a crisp. He could still hear the plagues to his nights, the decay of the only home he ever had. He could stil-

It seemed as if poor little Meric had had enough of this internal monologuing and went to pop its face into space. Its recklessness jolted the mourning king who slapped his face into his palm. Newborns. Absolute nightmares. Thank God he wasn't like that at all when he was younger, or else he would've been more than a centipede-handful for his poor servants and mother.

No worries though, it was space, and the little spawn ended up floating around and bouncing off asteroids in a little spinny square dance. It made Zhask chuckle. He was about to step into it as well when he thought of something he could do.

He placed a hint of rift energy in the folds of the portal.

This would attract Yve.

He had something to tell her.

Stepping through the portal at last, he came to be reunited with poor Meric who was beginning to have a headache from all the asteroid bonking. With one last look at the forlorn portal, Zhask began exploring the ruins of Kastiya.

Of course, there was nothing left save the rubble and rot. It piqued the curiosity of the little spawn but all it did was rouse feelings of guilt and solitude in the monarch's gut. He flitted through the wreckages, determined to find something... or someone... but nothing, and nobody remained.

It was then that he came to an old royal greenhouse his mother once frequented, or what remained of it. She had always loved her flowers and had taught him botany in those very walls. There were many fond memories within the confines of those solid glass panes and many more outside.

Now all that was left was a fraction of what it once was.

Zhask stepped on a piece of glass and recentered his gravity. It broke beneath his feet and he landed inside the chlorophyll-stained room.

It was silent, far too silent. There used to be at the very least a little flutter of wings or perhaps a chittering spawn, but there was nothing here now. Oh well, exploring would be a fine option.

Surely nothing worse could be found... right?

Through glass and thorn Zhask trudged though the greenhouse, searching for relics of a forgotten day and age. He found nothing but rubble. It disappointed him.

He was about to leave when a pile of wood and glass caught his eye. Placing Meric on his shoulder, he dug through the wreckage, curiosity begging him to reach in further....

But as they all say, curiosity killed the cat, and today, it struck the king.

Zhask shifted the rubble to a full extent, but he wished he didn't. For underneath it all was a familiar face, with familiar fur and familiar scales.

"... Sh... Shaloshta...."

("... Mo... Mother....")

There was no mistaking the broken royal tiara and the long, cold, and dead moth eyes.

"Shaloshta... Shaloshta! SHALOSHTA!"

("Mother... Mother! MOTHER!")

He grasped the corpse by her shoulders, and laid her in his lap.

"Shaloshta! Cere di, ralsa mi Zhask!" he cried out in agony. "Cere di Shaloshta, cere di, pavra mi hask! Dis tu khauf bhait! Arka, Shaloshta, arka!"

("Mother! It's me, your son Zhask!")

("It's me Mother, it's me, your little grub! I have come home! Wake up, Mother, wake up!")

But as was Yve in her pursuits, he was too late. She had died far too long ago.

Holding back the tears studded in his eyes, Zhask pulled poor Meric from his shoulders and leaped out of the ill-fated greenhouse. He smashed through rock and tile, through foundations and memories. He didn't care whatever happened to him or his surroundings, he just wanted to get away.

At last, a good distance away, his energy faltered. His spark faded. Fortunately, a chunk of space rock, once bearing a tree fruiting with juice but now a withered stump deviod of all life, came into perspective.

Broken, Zhask sat down on a patch of grassland on the rock and pulled Meric closer to his heart.

He could take it no longer. His heart was to burst.

And as he stroked the little spawn in his hands, he thanked himself for keeping the portal open.

Because there would be no better birthday gift for him... than to finally die as he will live forever onwards.