#skipolo

[This is a standalone work but may also be considered part of a series called Chromophobia. Access here. Read as you like. Oh, this specific work is titled Pink Elephants, Part 1: Peonies.]

And the Queen's memories could only play so far. She looked at her hands, pale and decaying. Skin breaking and falling, her flesh rotten. Blood, dry. She couldn't see her reflection but she thought if she could, she wouldn't recognise herself.

The door creaked open and Schpood sauntered in, weariness following his footsteps. The Queen rose quickly, flitting by his side. "How was your day?" Shrugging, she turned as he headed to his desk. "Fine, ignore me."

But when she glanced at him, the Emperor was slumped on his table. His hand placed a top her diary, she couldn't recall how many times he'd read it.

"Geez, that's invasion of privacy you know? You probably know me better than anyone now."

Schpood groaned as he lifted his head, his eyes heavy with sleep but his mind far too filled to sleep. He thumbed her diary and then flipped through the pages, lips moving as he read through her entries. Again, and again. He knew every word by heart. Just as he memorized her face from her portrait before they met and now again after.

'I wonder..back then, did she ever think about me too?'

Out on the wily, windy moors

We'd roll and fall in green

It doesn't hurt me (yeah, yeah, yo)

Do you wanna feel how it feels? (Yeah, yeah, yo)

The plans that he'd delayed, destroyed and ultimately dug up were laid across his table. The Queen stood horrified, she knew. Only after her proposal had been accepted, but Jophiel found out that had it not been for that, everyone else would've been right about Schpood.

"But I kept my tongue when I was alive because I believed in you… now.. why, why must you resort to this again? Or did you plan to do this from the start?"

Schpood who had been staring at the map of Yggdrasil felt a chill down his spine and gooseflesh on his arms. He looked around, the candlelight flickering.

"How could you?"

He could hear her, exclaiming her protest at his plans. As if she were there, just beside him, privy to his plans. He promised himself, when he'd realised he would rather have her than all the resources of Pandora that his operation was an ill dream.

"Jophiel, please believe me. When our arrangement was made, I had no plans on continuing. I swear on all the gods that would have me. I did not desire it with you in my arms."

"You ask me to believe you now?"

Schpood took a shaky breath, thinking of her response. He could see her clear green eyes, the same vibrant green as the thriving life of her nation. Full of disbelief and disappointment.

"Maybe you are a tyrant after all, Schpood. I see now that I was wrong."

The Emperor shuddered at the gust of wind coming from the shutters he was sure was closed when he entered. Finger tapping on the table, his plans of world domination did not seem so appealing. He could hear her voice, echoing and echoing.

"You lied to me,"

"I did, my Queen. I'm sorry."

"You promised you wouldn't. I thought you loved me enough not to."

"I do, I still do."

"You tried to use me."

You had a temper like my jealousy

Too hot, too greedy

Do you wanna know, know that it doesn't hurt me? (Yeah, yeah, yo)

Do you wanna hear about the deal that I'm making? (Yeah, yeah, yo)

That night, as he lay in his bed unable to sleep Schpood felt a wave of comfort come over him. A cool sensation on his forehead. He was reminded of one of the times Jophiel had dragged him away from their duties. A small room in Tricolour's palace hidden inside the library. The couch was small and they barely fit, but the sun shone through the stained windows, turning the white couch pink.

He remembered her sweet smile as she guided him to lay down, his head on her lap as she massaged his forehead. Her voice seemed that of an angel as she sang to him.

He was her comfort, he realised now. "It's been nothing but agony since you left. You know that, don't you, Jophiel?"

'I want to weep,' Schpood thought. "I want to be comforted. I'm exhausted of being strong. For once I want to be careless and vulnerable. If only for a while, a moment in a day. I'm not even asking for an entire day." These were the same words he told her that day in the library and Jophiel told him, "You can do that with me if you like. I'll comfort you as many times you desire."

Her embrace was heaven. Warm and soft, like clouds as she held him. He was reminded briefly of when he was a child, snuggled and covered in his favorite blanket while it was storming. Despite the thunders outside his window, it was safe and snug. Jophiel's comfort felt just like that. Then she kissed his forehead. Just a peck and yet, it washed away all his pain.

"All my life, I've never been able to hold onto something that gave me so much relief. I am the Emperor of Westhelm, I can't afford to be anything but sure and strong. Or so I must be, lest this empire crumbles to the ground. As they say, Rome was not built in a day but it could in one.

I've denied myself the luxury of comfort for ever since I can remember… Being weak is a privilege. But you extended your hand to me. Someone wholly for me, who wished for my respite. When I finally got my hands on you, Jophiel, I thought it would be fine to be selfish. Just once and have paradise in the palm of my hands. Eternity all for myself. To grow old together. And with you, I thought that I could."

The Queen listened, and listened. Her fingers combing through his long, curly locks of rich dark brown. Nails scratching his scalp, the other hand caressing his cheek.

How could you leave me

When I needed to possess you?

You

It's you and me

A fortnight ago, the one who had been responsible for the Queen's demise, and many others, now realised he may have bit off more than he can chew. Yggdrasil had indeed not attacked.

But he was right.

'I was still right. Better have a weapon and not need it than need it and not have it.'

"My sister sent you?" He asked the lady seated across from him, an Yggdrasillian priestess she had claimed to be. A black veil covered her fair. Her pale blue hair, like cornflowers peeked from underneath. Hands covered in henna, the ink red, black and gold as they swirled and danced.

Dressed in dark robes and an even darker dress of mourning black, fitted in gold and lace, Fluxion figured she might've been telling the truth. "No. I came of my own accord." Her voice was soft, gentle even and unsettling.

The paranoid man bristled, 'Why? It would've been different if she'd been sent by Cyn..'

"I came to serve you, Dante."

'Dante?'

"I'm afraid you're meeting the wrong person. That is not my name."

"It is, he and you are the same."

He looked at her as if she'd grown a second head, not a word made sense. But suddenly, he had an idea. He was not a wasteful man, resources were resources. He'd found his second Seraphim. Although perhaps not an angel.

"Prove it."

Days later, Fluxion was unsure whether to pat himself in the back or be terrified. He'd called it right, the girl had some use to him. She followed him like a puppy, albeit silently. A nun, his men had teased. It didn't matter, she was able to convince what was left of the Commonwealth to ally to his cause. It was an adorable devotion, he decided. He liked keeping her around. She had never yet to question him, and every time would answer him ever so sweetly. Like a devoted worshiper.

'I wonder, how far will you go for me?'

"What's your name, priestess?"

"Dhaedrys.. My name is Dhaedrys, dear Dante."

Scouring through keeps and scrolls and records in Westhelm's library and past that, to even one only the Imperial family could access, Schpood failed to find an ounce of the knowledge he wished.

Ever since he'd heard whispers hear and there of Infernus's mysterious priestess, the one who bathed in blood and tears, magic that could defy the laws of nature Schpood set out on a manic search of similar powers of his own gods. Alas, Legatus Exul was not a god so merciful.

At last, his patience had grown thin, much as it usually did. He summoned Skipolo, hands clutching what few records he found. The commander was ushered in, clad in green armour. Schpood almost looked away, green.

"You called, Emperor?"

At once, Skipolo could sense the trembling rage of the Emperor. It seemed to be the emotion the Emperor was fond of lately. None of his shrewd recklessness. 'And yet this might be a good thing finally.'

"I heard a strange rumour from the soldiers and travelers. Infernus is in possession of strange magic."

Skipolo didn't answer until a beat later, adjusting his helmet under his arm. "We've yet to receive confirmation from Lady Hex, Emperor. Whether this claim is true or not."

But Schpood, impatient already only burst into anger. "Whether it's witchcraft or propaganda, I will decide!" Skipolo stood much straighter than before, strangely feeling invigorated by the Emperor's wrath that dripped with a thirst for blood.

It was an open secret that their absolute ruler was more than fazed by his betrothed death. 'Since the Emperor's reign, the empire has only left to gather grain. There's never been true war in my years of service, perhaps now..'

"As you command, Emperor. I'll send a few scouts to verify-"

"No! Get me that infernal witch! The priestess of that Dreaded Volcano! Find her! Find her!"

It did not take long for the Emperor's orders to be carried out and soon, Dhaedrys was dragged to the throne room. She hadn't been shackled but Skipolo ensured she'd not be able to flee Westhelm as easy as she did the first time.

Schpood, upon seeing the girl with a striking resemblance to his Queen, thought he might be going crazy. She didn't look at him, only ahead, with a straight face that looked strangely like his when bored.

"I hear you possess a strange power, Infernus Priestess."

"Do you always believe everything you hear, Emperor?" She bit back, shrugging her arm away from Skipolo's hold. None of them noticed Spyder slipping into the room, he'd just been drowning in paperwork moments before.

'Fuck, fuck- this could lead to war. If Infernus retaliates for the treatment of their priestess. Those fanatics..'

Schpood chose not to argue with her, after all, if it was true then he would be at the mercy of her favour and not the other. Standing from his throne, he descended the steps slowly.

"I promise no harm will befall you, if you do as you're told."

Finally standing close enough and taking a closer look, he realised the girl's eyes were a shade darker than Jophiel's. But they had the same frown when displeased, with that he was familiar. The number of times he had pushed Jophiel's buttons were innumerable.

"Is it true? You are able to bring the dead back to life?"

At his question, the girl laughed, filled with derision and Schpood held back his temper. He found he couldn't admonish the girl who resembled Jophiel.

"Even a child knows that can't be, Emperor. Why? Who do you wish back? Your Queen?"

Spyder closed his eyes, silently praying to Legatus Exul to at least spare the girl pain from her incoming death but to his surprise, Schpood answered calmly.

"Yes. Yes, I want my Jophiel back. Can you do that?"

"You cannot return that which is lost, not even an emperor commands such power. Over life and death, you have no authority."

Schpood took a step back, as if taking a punch. In the back of his mind he knew, he believed there was a way to undo what has been done.

"No, surely. If not you, someone else. There is a way, these rumours did not come from nowhere." He began to mutter to himself. Spyder and Skipolo shared a look than back to the pacing Emperor.

All of a sudden he stomped towards the Priestess and grabbed her by the face.

"I won't be tricked! I will have it, do you hear me priestess?!"

Dhaedrys sneered, her head tilted and held high despite the Emperor's crushing grip. For a moment, Spyder saw a stubbornness he only knew from Schpood.

"What price will you pay?"

Schpood, it's me, I'm Jophiel

Say, if I only could

I'd make a deal with Ish

And I'd get Him to swap our places

Normally, the Senate would disapprove of a foreign religions ritual being cast in Westhelm. In the Citadel! Of all places. But Emperor Schpood would take no objection.

There was an altar of marble that the priestess had filled with herbs, Spyder noticed, herbs from Pandora. 'How does she know how to use those?'

Only two were allowed to witness it, the Emperor and his Consul. Fearful of an assassination attempt however, the outside was filled with guards. The Priestess's hands bound with only enough for her to move.

"The ashes."

Schpood was startled when she suddenly turned. "Ashes?" Dhaedrys frowned, rolling her eyes. "The Queen's. Don't worry, I won't use it all. Just a tad." And when the Emperor handed the precious glass vial to her, she cracked it open and promptly threw the ashes in his face.

True to her words, she left little more than half. Schpood stood flabbergasted, covered in Jophiel. Clearing his throat and carefully keeping the glass bottle again, he watched the girl sit in a circle, singing to flames she'd lit.

'What a strange girl.'

She grabbed a knife, the sight making Spyder draw his sword until he saw her cut herself. Blood sizzling over the fire. She sang in a tongue foreign to both listening ears, the shadows in the room moved and danced and then stopped and vanished into the night.

"It's done. I cannot do anything more than this, Emperor. At the very least, you may feel her more clearly. Even speak to her if you desire it enough."

Spyder felt uncomfortable, he heard what bare reports of her there were. Aside from natives of Infernus, who themselves were already secretive only called her mad. He feared, if instead of helping the Emperor, she cursed him instead.

To save her life Dhaedrys agreed to humour the Emperor but never promised anything. As she left, spitting at the image of Westhelm's god, she gave one last piece of advice to Emperor Schpood.

"You will find her again, of this you can be sure. Don't you know how deeply intertwined your souls are?"

I hated you, I loved you, too

And if I only could

I'd make a deal with Ish

And I'd get Him to swap our places

Saparata waited for Turntapp by the door, fiddling with his bag and what little belongings he was able to take. The leader of the Covenant met the albino skinned man, almost a little too eagerly one might think.

"I don't think it would be wise to go to Westhelm, Saps." He warned, a puff of his breath white in the cold morning air. "It was quite popular, his engagement to that Pandora Queen. From what I hear, he was quite affectionate of her. If you go and he does not believe you, I fear he will have you hanged instead. Without the mercy of those duels of theirs. I implore you, please don't go."

Saparata thought about it long and hard and found himself agreeing with Turntapp. "But I have nowhere to go, Tapp. I've run out of anything to trade." He felt a warm, reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about that, I'll have always have Covenant's doors open for you."

As Saparata looked out into the horizon, he could see Westhelm's famed Colosseum and wondered when he would be absolved, and if come to, would he have to face a trial by combat?

In the Colosseum that day was a great fanfare. A celebration of Westhelm's founding, the merriment was at it's peak. Food, music, colors and dancing and all manner of festivities surrounded him. Schpood tried his best not to look too sullen on the occasion, but the Emperor soon slipped away. Much too early for what would've been acceptable for him to leave. But who could stop him?

That was how Emperor Schpood ended up in his chambers, where he began to spend more time in than court. He could still vaguely hear the upbeat music from the Colosseum. Closing his eyes, he removed the heavy red cloak that weighed him down. The golden crown fashioned like laurel leaves followed.

"Jophiel… my love, care to dance with me?"

True to the Priestess's word, Schpood felt Jophiel's presence much better. Feel her touch, hear the faintness of her laughter. If he ignored the unease in the pit of his stomach, it was perfect. By closing his eyes, he could almost see Jophiel standing before him.

Just like the day in the rain, they danced.

Bad dreams in the night

Be runnin' up that road

The Emperor was able to head to bed with a smile on his face, and he slept deeply. In his dream, he was riding a beautiful black steed, decked out strangely in rich colours. The crown upon his head heavy. Then in front of him, Jophiel rode by. Her laughter ringing so dearly around him. An extravagant dress of lavish silks of green and blue, embroidered with gold threads and ruby jewels on her neck. Schpood recognized why it looked so familiar, her wedding dress. He looked down, he was in the robes prepared for the wedding.

"Come on, what're you dawdling for?" She teased him, riding past to brush her hair in his face. He felt himself move before he could think as he whipped the reigns and followed her up the hill. They rode and chased each other through the forest of Tricolor a while until suddenly, she was gone from his sight. Jophiel rode too far, far too quickly.

A dread overcame Schpood as he looked for her frantically. "Jophiel! Jophiel! Answer me! Where are you?!"

He found her, Jophiel's back was turned to him. The white horse she loved so much lying on the floor. Schpood hastily jumped from his black steed and ran to her. Bit no matter how far and fast he ran he never seemed to get close.

"Jophiel!" He cried out in desperation, his lungs burned. Schpood kept going even if he seemed stuck. Then, from behind her he saw Lady Seraphim, whose face he could barely recall.

'No. No, no!'

When she turned to face him, he could finally sprint towards her. Blood dripped from her mouth, the slash across her chest bloomed a deep red that shamed the richness of scarlet in Tricolour's flag.

He caught her as she fell, wheezing. Jophiel's green eyes slowly lost it's shine as the life seeped from her. "Schp-"

"Save your strength… stay with me. Jophiel? Please, please."

There was too much blood, too little time. The Queen died in the Emperor's arms, the white of her dress had turned red. Funny, she ended up in all the colours of Tricolor.

Schpood woke up with a jolt, drenched in sweat. Even if it had only been a dream, he was catching his breath. He threw the blankets off of him and stood from his bed, grabbing the glass of water left by his bedside and gulping it down.

'What a horrid dream.'

He refused to go back to sleep, in fear the dream would continue. Tugging his own hair, Schpood fell back into his bed. Shaking, he looked at his hands and although dry and clean felt covered in warm blood.

"No! Damn it, no!" He wiped his hands on the bedsheets, but the red wouldn't come off. The dread ate him alive, Jophiel's pale face flashed in his memories. It was the same face Addison had presented to him, not the one he danced with in the rain.

"Jophiel, don't abandon me.." Schpood whispered first. Gradually he found his strength, rising he looked around his chambers. Warmer now than the previous nights.

Jophiel chuckled, "First you tell me you hate me then you love me. You tell me not to haunt you and then to do so. What am I to do with you?"

Anguish began to gnaw at him, one he thought he chased away. Looking to the side, Jophiel's portrait looked down on him. The green eyes reflected no light, dead as she was.

Jophiel who had been trying to shake him awake, stared at him with worry. Pushing his wet hair from sweat away from his eyes. "Yes, I'm here. I never abandoned you."

He paced, he did now like a habit. A sense of panic overwhelmed him. 'It was a sign!' Schpood turned to face her portrait, walking up to it as if he could shake her through her portrait.

"You're saying goodbye?! Is that it?! Perhaps you think that dance meant closure for me?" Schpood shook his head, eyes read. The past weeks had been cruel to him, so was he to himself.

"I will not allow it! You are not allowed to leave me again, Jophiel!"

He clutched the glass vial of what remained of her ashes. Schpood was erratic, turning in circles in his room. "That is an order! You understand?! I forbid it!"

Jophiel who had been almost at the edge of losing her senses trying to calm him stood stunned as if hit by a bucket of cold water. "What?" He had never uttered such words, even after she died. He'd even promised her, he would never order her the same as a vassal as she was his equal.

"You order me? How dare you?! By what authority?!"

She huffed, pushing him with her misty arms that only went through him. "I never left you! Why is that so hard to understand?! Haven't we had this conversation before? By the gods, you had a witch make sure you can feel me! Can't you?!

I'm screaming my head off for nothing. Maybe it's you refuse to feel me, I'm here. I'm right here! Don't doubt me now. That's what I command. Don't doubt me, I command it."

After seeing the Emperor back to sleep, Jophiel decided to step out for some fresh air. The Queen, after loitering in the halls, that the servants now call haunted, headed towards the water gardens.

The fountain in the middle featured a carved angel. Jophiel breathed out as she dipped her feet in the water. Suddenly, the water swished as another pair of feet dipped beside her.

"You-"

Jophiel recognised the girl playing in the water beside her. "You're the Priestess from Infernus." She looked different now, Jophiel thought, 'Now that she isn't crying.'

But of course, the Queen didn't expect an answer. Until she received one. "Not anymore. I… left." The girl began, kicking her feet up and pushing a floating flower towards Jophiel.

"You can see me? But you're… alive."

"Yes." The priestess answered simply, she moved to pull her skirt up to keep it from the water. Smiling, she turned towards the Queen. "My name is Dhaedrys."

"That's a pretty name." Jophiel said, trying but failing to steer the flower back to Dhaedrys. It still did and the young girl pushed it back again. The pink petals fluttering in the water.

"My mother named me. She… had a love for pretty words."

"So, your abilities are true."

Dhaedrys picked the soft pink petals floating in the water, laying them slowly by the Queen's feet as if in offering. "You're not surprised."

"Well, magic is rare but, it's not unheard of." Jophiel only explained, observing the girl. Strangely, she looked happy. Playing with flowers in the water. Jophiel smiled, heart feeling just a tad bit lighter as she leaned down, her hands dipping in the water with the girl's.

"You came to me as a guest, then you wept at my grave. Why is that?"

Dhaedrys turned to look the Queen in the eye but Jophiel noticed her eyes were unfocused. "I can't say."

"What can you tell me then?" Jophiel already had some idea who she was. It was no use asking. Dhaedrys stopped playing with the water, she scattered all the petals she gathered around the Queen.

"You were chosen to die. You were supposed to be the death that starts peace."

"Wait, supposed to be?" If the Priestess's words were a premonition, then the Queen's fears had come true. She chased after Dhaedrys who only told her, "It's the privilege of lesser men to see it through. And you won't be able to stop the greater man."

Schpood, it's me, I'm Jophiel

I've come home, I'm so cold

Let me in your window

Say, if I only could, oh

Schpood woke up earlier than usual. As he got ready, his eyes got drawn back towards Jophiel's portrait and the nick of the knife he'd so playfully put by her heart.

"Strange. Did I curse us by doing that?"

He reckoned that if she had heard him last night, she would've been furious. 'It must've felt like a real stab to the heart.'

"I'm sorry, Jophiel."

"I know… I forgive you."

Schpood turned at the sound of the voice and he saw her standing there, by the door as if she'd only just walked through. He couldn't believe his eyes, the morning light began to sift through the window and for a moment ho thought it was a trick of the light.

"Jophiel.. it's you."

"It is."

He approached her, steps slow and one by one. Fearful and yet reverent. He touched her golden hair, like spun rays of the sun. The pads of his fingers brushed the curve of her cheek. It brought him nearly to tears. He'd feared if he touched her she would disappear.

"I can touch you."

Jophiel smiled and pulled his hand closer to her face, removing his fear. "Yes. I missed you, Schpood."

His knees felt weak, but he didn't collapse. Still her body didn't feel material enough. As if he was only given just a little. But he could take little, even a sliver. He felt the fight taken out of him as he finally took her in his arms.

He thought he'd been dreaming again, never mind with his his eyes wide open. He pulled Jophiel to sit on his bed, holding her face in his hands with such tenderness it put a mother's touch to shame. She was cold however, like a corpse.

"Schpood… I'm right here. Waiting."

"Yes," he came to whisper, falling slowly to his knees and laying his head on her lap. Like a dog wagging it's tail at his masters return. Or a devotee finally granted the privilege of touching the divine.

It felt like drowning, the peaceful kind. He didn’t fight the waters but allowed it to take him. A rest at last, in the arms of his beloved. "What took you so long? Why did you even have to leave in the first place?" He whispered, burying his face in her skirts to hide the tears that he felt shamed his face, tears of joy he thought them to be.

Jophiel softly reached out, cupping his face, thumb brushing along the stubble he hadn't cared to manage. There was the mark of a smile reflected in her eyes, like the twinkle seen in the living.

"Forgive me, Schpood. Forgive me."

"I forgive you."

They told me I was going to lose the fight

Be runnin' up that volcano

The common folk all over the world were uneasy, especially those of the smaller nations, which Ish forbid, if war were to break out would be swallowed by the flames of chaos. In the plains of the Valley of Wheat, Emdoggo took rest from the blazing midday sun. The big tree's shade provided coolness not just for him but for his companions. Looking out into the great sea of wheat, the season had yielded vibrant golden like crop. It seemed more as if they'd draped the sun over the plains.

"A marvel to behold."

"That was what the Pandoran Queen said, didn't she?" Emdoggo said, turning to the other leader of VoW. "If I recall, she was so amazed by the wheat fields she asked if our farmers could teach hers any secrets of our agriculture. I think she even offered a trade route to ours."

"She was the first i think, to say we're 'admirable' for the cause. i think she meant it. After all, Tricolor did send us Yggdrasillians supplies without expecting anything in return."

"I like to think the Queen had the same generous heart we intend to be."

It was a brief meeting, one of the Queen's visits to Westhelm that led to her visiting the other nations. They welcomed her of course, with no one but her sworn sword and shield by her side and the Emperor of Westhelm that looked more like a guard and guide than Emperor.

"She had the same love for peace as we do. I wonder, if her arrangement with that tyrant had worked maybe our wheat could reach even Pandora."

"What use do they have of wheat? They have plenty of food," Quik06 was swift to retort, pulling out a grain that found it's way on his straw hat. "That's not the point," Emdoggo pointed out, "People are people, if we could spare every person from starving, isn't that our nation's goal achieved?"

"Well, yes, I suppose. Perhaps we could have truly given everyone wheat. Shame she died so early."

They can feel the tides changing. Quik06 did not dare say it but with everything the larger nations had been doing, he knew it was only a matter of time came to a head. He wondered if the time came, would their sea of golden wheat turn to a sea of flames?

Leave behind my Tricolor, Westhelm

Trihelm

Be runnin' up that Ashen Bastion

But scattered all over the realm were starving people, less than before but Yggdrasil remained the same. A barren, hostile wasteland. Once in a while, some miner or other would recall the brown bread sent from the other island, and they never did forget who lent the first hand.

The fearful people of Pandora, still mourning and shaken from the sudden of their leaders,. whispered here and there of what would happen. Did the barbarians of Yggdrasil truly intend to pillage their homes? Take their ores and put them to the sword?

Was every one that came to scout of one nation or another? Or was it all unfounded worry?

It was a time of uncertainty and people remembered that when the Queen of Tricolor lived, peace had never been more sure.

Leave behind my Tricolor, Westhelm

Trihelm

Be runnin' up that Ashen Bastion

Saparata stood a top his tower, the monument that would tell the world he was once here. The howling snow storm spared him no mercy. Alone, branded a traitor and exiled from his home. 'Truly, can there be a greater loneliness than this?'

Contemplating his choices, he suddenly thought of his old friend Jophiel, who had been most like a sister to him. Perhaps the accusations of the murders of the other leaders weighed on him but not so much as Jophiel's.

'How could they ever think I would do orchestrate such a thing? To Jophiel of all people? My sweet sister.'

That itself was unbearable.

Yet he changed his mind.

'I can't be at peace knowing Fluixon betrayed me.. maybe that I can forgive. But the world must know what he did, maybe at least Jo and all the other's he killed would have some type of justice.'

Suddenly, as he was about to head down he saw a figure in the snow. Black garments sticking out in the harsh white of the tundra. A lady, staring up at him and much to Saps' surprise, he could see her shake her head.

"Did she just shake her head at me? She can see me from this far?" He squinted and almost fell as he staggered back. Jophiel was staring at him. "What in the world?!" Frightened, he crawled to the ledge to see if it was a trick. A hallucination but she was there, looking up. The fierce wind billowing around her, Saps was sure, it was Jophiel's ghost.

"But her hair looks different…"

He quickly climbed down the tower, almost jumping down if only to make it faster. Flinging the door open, Saps rushed out, blending into the snow. "Sister!" He saw her stumbling in the snow and immediately reached out to raise her up. Holding her arms, he pulled her from the pile of snow where she seemed to sink.

But upon seeing her face, "You're not her.. you're not her."

The girl who looked so eerily similar, as if she had skinned Jophiel's face and worn it over hers spoke in a way that chilled him more than the tundra weather did. "Like who?"

Schpood, it's me, I'm Jophiel

You don't wanna hurt me (yeah, yeah, yo)

Lady Hex, who had been sent by the emperor himself, followed Saps' trail. Schpood upon hearing that Saparata was the one behind Jophiel's murder sent his best, most trusted subject. The fierce and sure Lady Hex. If he could not have Seraphim's blood on his sword then he would have the mastermind.

With orders to bring the one responsible for the plot of Pandora's leaders assassination, Hex trudged on in the snow. However she only reached an empty tower, by the time Saps' trail picked up it only led her to a lady sitting by a fire well out of the tundra.

'This is the priestess of Infernus?'

"Where is Saparata, priestess?" Hex asked revealing her presence, approaching the girl cautiously. The veil over her head was thick, Hex couldn't see her face. Bangles of gold clinked as the girls hands shook in the air, she was knelt by the fire muttering words Hex barely understood, but understood nonetheless. She waited for her to finish praying and instead looked around the small camp. The priestess had nothing but a white dove accompanying her.

After a while, a deep silence followed. If the priestess had hoped to intimidate her, Hex showed no signs of being unsettled. Finally, the younger woman slowly took a seat on a rock and turned to her visitor.

"Do I know you?"

"I don't have time to play games with you. I'm looking for the man with a kill on sight order, surely you must know him?"

But instead of an answer, the priestess cackled. Hex's confusion showed only for a brief moment before she gripped her blade and stomped over to the laughing girl. 'I'm sure his trail leads here.'

"Don't think I fear Infernus or their retaliation." Hex warned, grabbing the girl by the arm. Black silk slipped by her gloved hands as the priestess drew her arm away from her hold. "Of course you don’t. I don't fear you either, or Westhelm of which you serve."

"How do you-" Hex bit her tongue to hide her exclamation. Warning bells rang in her mind, 'Danger! Danger!' Before she could move, the younger took the bottom of her veil and raised it, revealing her face. Hex took a step back, the dead queen's face staring back at her.

"Look at me." The priestess demanded, head held high. "I could not have seen him even if I wished." Puzzled, Hex quickly packed away her shock and intrigue, and hid how truly disturbed she was. The priestess's eyes were clear and bright, a rich verdant green but Hex noticed, how with so little detail her eyes were staring past her if not at her even when she was right before her.

"Your blind?"

"Partially."

Grabbing the girl's face Hex asked, albeit too harshly, "You look awfully familiar. Related to the Queen of Tricolor perhaps?" This time no matter the probing, she didn't get an answer. 'Sorcery. Has to be. There is no other way for the dead queen to be here. She's using it to get to us. Schpood. Oh Exul, I have to keep this girl away from Schpood.'

Hex sneered and doused the fire before pulling the priestess to her feet and dragging her to the edge, right above the boiling water. "I won't ask again. Where is Saparata?" Hex expected her to flail or try to hold on to her but instead, the younger girl only reached out and tucked stray brown hair behind Hex's ear. Dhaedrys whispered, "Do it. You've already betrayed me once before."

I'm coming back to his side to put it right

You (yeah, yeah, yo)

It's you and me

In the end, Hex pulled the priestess away from the boiling water, her back soaked. "Fine," She admitted before slapping chains on the priestess's wrists. "Your coming back with me to Westhelm. This time your stay will be the dungeons."

"Wait."