Witch of GREED

“Latin…” Lucy repeated, wonder evident in her tone. “I guess I should have expected that. It makes sense.” It was intriguing to say the least. It made her wonder just how old the slates were. They must have been ancient…but where did they even come from to begin with? Did they just appear there? “That’s right. It’s just the two of us right now, so I haven’t really had the chance to do a lot of testing with it but that’s our current theory anyway. He’s been a huge help to me, since he was part of another clan before we met.” But things had happened and now there they were, the King and her lionheart.

“Dominion over the stars?” Her eyes widened slightly before a small smile tugged at her lips. “It’d make sense. Loke and I, we’re also in the astronomy club at Konohana University. And our base just…sort of became the local planetarium.” Between that and the zodiac constellations, she could sort of understand that. “Loke works there, after all, so it just became a habit to meet up there…not that we’ve really needed it. We’re not a particularly powerful clan.”

She listened carefully as the other continued, speaking about the Blue King and her own. “I was vaguely sort of aware of it,” she noted. “He mentioned something like that when I registered.” She hadn’t thought much of it then, but listening to Echidona’s explanation, it made sense why they’d be at odds. She nodded, carefully nibbling on her cookie as she spoke, not wanting to interrupt.

“Yeah, that makes sense,” she answered, once Echidona paused. From the name of this place, the Citadel of Dreams… “So you can control dreams too? So I’m still asleep in my bed right now?” Ah, that was kind of nice…she wouldn’t have to worry about the calories of the cookies. She took another sip of the tea, giving a small hum. “This tea is really good by the way. What kind is it?”

The witch quirked a brow at this, so subtly that the other before her may not have noticed the change. She had wondered if it was possible for one to wield more than one color or if strains could wield the power of a clansman or a King. To hear that there was someone that had indeed done so.. Well, her experiment would not all be for naught. After all, she was attempting to experiment if a King could gain the powers of another clan. 

“So then, the King of Stars and her clansman had an interest in stars as well..” Echidona leaned forward, her elbows resting on the ornate table as she laced her fingers together, her black, reddish eyes watching the blonde as she mulled over the information she just learned. “Would you say you had an interest in stars before becoming King? Or after?” The slates that chose their King’s.. It felt as though they picked far too well. How did the slates choose? 

“Of course. Right now your physical body is asleep back in the real world. Though your mind is much more active than usual, you shouldn’t feel too fatigued when you return, I imagine. As long as you don’t strain yourself too much. But we are, after all, leisurely enjoying tea and conversation together. Nothing strenuous at all.” Echidona smiled, her eyes closing as she registered the Yellow King’s next question. 

“Well, this place is a part of me, so.. If I had to say frankly, it would be my body fluids.” No sense in beating around the bush there. Besides, it was already too late. The woman had already consumed the ‘tea’ and therefore Echidona once more trained her eyes on her, studying her for any sort of reaction. Well, it was possible nothing would happen, or if something did it would happen slowly over time. All these possibilities were apart of her calculations. 

A new color..? She supposed that made sense, given what Scepter 4 had said when she’d had to register. There was a sudden influx of new Kings with different colors. From her understanding, there’d only been a few before. Red, Blue, Colorless, Green, Gold, Silver, and so on…and now there were so many new ones. The other woman seemed happy to learn that though. 

“That’s right,” Lucy tried to manage a small smile. As far as I know, there was no influence where I came from. The abilities only manifested a little bit after I first came here, which from what Scepter 4 told me, coincides with the awakening of the other slates.” It probably wasn’t far from the truth to say a specific slate had chosen her, though she had no idea if that was truly the case. She didn’t know much, only what she’d been told upon registering officially as a king. 

Her interest peaked at the mention of another language though, sitting up in her seat a bit. “Another language? Really? I only know what Scepter 4 told me when I registered, so admittedly I don’t know much myself..What language?” That was..interesting, and mysterious. Maybe she could use that for a story idea…some ancient artifact inscribed with an unknown language.. Her attention snapped back to Echidona as she continued. Oh, that was something easier to talk about.

“Well, the aura itself seems to be able to manifest these little…aura projectiles like shooting stars. But it seems like my clan is based on the zodiac. My first clansman is a Leo, and he got fire powers. As a Libra, I can use air based abilities. I can also use his power, so I think, depending on the zodiac signs, I can…equip, for lack of a better word, their sign and use their abilities.” At least, that was what she understood of it so far. She was still practicing, of course, and there were still things she didn’t know about her power, but she could at least offer that much. “As of right now, he’s my only clansman, but I haven’t actively sought out any either.”

The tea and cookies did look inviting though, and she could never really turn down sweets. She reached for a cookie, taking a bite before lifting the tea cup to her lips. “Oh, um, you said you were a King too…what kinds of things can you do? Would I be right in assuming that…this…space? is one of them?” she asked before taking a tentative sip of the tea, unsure how hot it’d be.

Echidona daintily brought her cup to her lips, taking a silent sip of her tea and then set it back down onto the saucer with a light clink. “Latin.” She spoke easily. “Most King’s seem to be under the impression that their aura manifests a particular element, but that is just not the case.. Certainly in your case, it seems they are able to manifest multiple elements.” It seems this Yellow King’s abilities were influenced by the Zodiac. How peculiar. 

“Your dominion.. I wonder what it could be. A dominion that perhaps reigns over the stars? How poetic.” Her smirk had turned into a small smile as she mulled over the information she received. 

“Were you aware that Scepter 4′s dominion is Order? That means for someone with my abilities we are not a good match.” She would explain shortly what that would mean but she took a moment to take another sip of her tea. “My dominion.. It governs Greed. Such a broad term to describe ones powers, isn’t it? You can’t discern what sort of power you’d obtain from that one word alone. But I suppose it gives me the power to amass knowledge. To obtain the things I seek.” After setting her teacup down once more, she placed a hand over her heart.

“This space was created in thanks to my ability as a King, yes. Within my Citadel of Dreams there is no feat too great for me. But outside I suppose you could say I had something akin to the power of illusion. You can see why a King with the dominion of Order might be a detriment to me?” Someone with the dominion over Order could dispel an illusion with no problem as it breaks Order.

A warm bath made all the stress of the day melt away. Not that it had ended on a bad note. Loke had a way of turning the whole day around just by spending time with her. Now that she was home and settling down, she realized just how exhausted she was. She sent him a good night text, even though they’d said good night only moments ago face to face. If it was accompanied by a heart emoji, well. She wasn’t exactly denying it anymore. They were dating after all. 

Once she fed Plue and finished combing her hair, she settled under the soft blankets and turned the lights out, a small smile on her face as the gentle moonlight streamed through her bedroom window. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she let herself slip into her dreams… Earlier that morning, she’d had a dream that’d make a good fantasy plot. She’d scribbled down as many details as she could remember, but hopefully the dream would continue tonight.

But that didn’t seem to be the case. She blinked, finding herself at…a tea party? Her brows furrowed. Hadn’t she just been in bed? Wait, was this one of those lucid dreams? Her eyes widened, her lips parting in shock. She’d never had a dream like that before–but she jolted when she heard unfamiliar laughter across the table from her, and her head jerked to find the strange woman sitting there. 

She was almost ethereal, otherworldly, with her white hair and pale skin, contrasted against the black dress she wore and those dark eyes. It was…a little unsettling. It was like those eyes were looking right through her. Like a hidden depth to them that suggested the one in front of her was much older than she appeared. “Wh-who…” she started to ask, only for the woman to begin speaking. She…knew she was a King..?

Her introduction was certainly odd as well, an odd chill settling in the pit of Lucy’s stomach, as though there was something…off about this place. Something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. “I’m..Lucy,” she answered. Just Lucy. Only Lucy. “The Yellow King.” It…didn’t sound the fanciest, but that was the color she’d manifested. The way the woman trailed off seemed to suggest something horrible, but the smile never left her face. Unsettling.

“You…want to know about me? There’s..not really much to know,” she began, scratching her cheek. “I came here to get away from a father who could care less about my existence and to live my own life. Becoming a King was never really part of my plan, but I guess it never really is for anyone, huh…Is there anything specific you want to know?”

“My~” Echidona clapped her hands together joyously. “Yellow! That is a new color!” She was surprised the blonde was so forthcoming with information despite the confusion and apprehension lacing her features. But Echidona paid it no mind. Her joy was over exaggerated but would not look out of place considering she was somewhat practiced and that the other did not know her well enough to discern otherwise. But it wasn’t a lie to say that she wasn’t excited at gaining new information. 

When it came to her more personal information, it wasn’t knowledge she coveted but in order to set up amiable relations, it was better to ask questions about the other party. She knew that. “So then.. You came to Shizume to get away from this careless father of yours and became a King? Interesting.. The place you were in prior must not have been a location influenced by the slates or perhaps.. There was a specific slate here that chose you?” When it came to the slates, in a way, she knew less and then more than the Silver King who had studied them. 

“Did you know that the slates contain writing in another language? Such mysterious things.. They speak about the various colors and their dominions. Unfortunately, I was never able to study the particular slate that has influenced you.. Might you tell me more about your abilities? Do you have clansmen? In as much detail as possible, if you would be so kind.”

The witch had been privy to all kinds of dreams. Surreal ones that made no sense, ones that horrified the dreamer, ones that were simply memories relived from the day. This particular male was a little different. When people visited her it was usually when they were asleep or incapacitated in some way, but this particular male was visiting just as his heart stopped beating. This person was no stranger to death. To be able to speak with someone who tasted death over and over again.. What sort of information his experiences could impart to her made her shudder in anticipation. 

Even as his heart slowed down and his breathing grew shorter and shorter, and just before the light completely flickered from his eyes, Echidona’s voice called out to him, as if her lips were only inches from his ear. 

“You’ve been invited to the Witches Tea Party.”

And just as the man’s vision turned to black, he blinked and found himself standing within that grassy plains, his jet black hair rustling in the gentle breeze. There wasn’t much to see from where he stood. Under foot there was only grass, and more grass in the distance. The sky was a pretty blue with white fluffy clouds spread out far to the horizon. It was the kind of perfect day and weather most people coveted. 

The only thing that stood out was the hill a distance away, and even if he squinted the best he could make out were a pair of white chairs and a small table, and the figure of someone shrouded in black dress. The woman sat upon her chair, lips curled into a wide smirk even as she sipped the amber liquid from her teacup. With nothing else to do and nowhere else to go she was sure he would make his way over to her and once she did she was sure to welcome him again. Would he even recall her voice while in the throes of death?

The blonde seated before her sat there in a daze. This was generally what happened when most entered Echidona’s Citadel of Dreams. In some cases she had them walk to her, but in other cases made it so that they were already seated at her tea table. A hot cup of tea sat in front of both of them as well as a tray full of cookies. When realization dawned on the blonde, her brown eyes widened in a comical way that made Echidona giggle. That response only made the blonde gloss her over.

In this place, only Echidona seemed out of place. This grassy, hilly plains with its blue skies and the white, ornate tea table and chairs they sat in. While the blonde wore something more modern and blended in, Echidona’s black dress contrasted greatly with her pale, white skin. In fact, that wasn’t the only oddity about the woman. When Echidona stopped giggling and looked up to meet the others gaze, her eyes were pitch black with an odd reddish tint to them, her pupils practically white slits. 

“I believe this is the first time I’ve had a King join me here.. Or perhaps it would be more apropos to say a Newer King.” After all, in Echidona’s Citadel of Dreams she housed the subconsciousness of several other King’s, although they were quite old in comparison to this baby chick. 

“King’s are mysterious beings.. It’s almost as though some negate the powers of others. But that’s what makes them so utterly fascinating.” The smirk she wore turned almost joyful, her pitch black eyes almost sparkling. 

“Forgive my manners, I should introduce myself first. My name is Echidona, the Witch of Greed. Ah, but maybe it would make more sense to say that like you, I am a King. However in my time, we were not regarded as such..” Her eyes seemed to stare into the distance, as if seeking a memory from the distant past, however her smile did not lessen up. 

Echidona, the white haired, pale skinned woman adorned in a funerary dress sat upon her white, ornate tea chair, her hands folded in her lap as she gazed with interest to the scenery in front of her. She sat as though she were watching a movie, only the scene unfolding before her looked real as though it were happening right in front of her. The scenes before her seemed to play out for a moment then stop abruptly, switching into a different scene.

At first, the world was cast in an eerie green haze, coffins littering the ground as a lone, solitary male wandered through them. His expression was empty, but Echidona noticed the subtle changes. The slight parting of his lips and the the way his eyes widened as he drank in the scene around him. It was such an interesting reaction to being faced with a scene most would find unnerving but so far only mild surprise laced his features. 

Just as if someone had dipped their hand into water, the scene rippled before Echidona and changed. The world was no longer cast in an eerie glow but was now dyed the color of night, with skies dotting the sky. She sat in a car next to the male from before only he was much smaller and less aged. He chatted with the adults in the drivers and passengers seat without giving the white haired witch a single glance. The car then abruptly crashed, coated in a fiery blaze. While all passengers were whipped around by the impact, Echidona remained perfectly intact as if the laws of gravity did not apply to her. 

Her only reaction, other than the perpetual smirk adorning her lips, was to reach into her lap, lifting a saucer and teacup. Bringing the teacup to her lips, she took a sip and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she was greeted with the familiar surroundings of her Citadel of Dreams. A vast, hilly, grassy landscape with blue, cloudly skies that seemed to stretch on forever. A pleasant breeze billow through which ruffled the grass as well as her hair and dress.

Echidona sat the teacup back down onto her saucer with a soft cling and slowly opened her pitch black eyes, the only color was of her thin, white pupil as she looked in front of her. In front was a small, ornate tea table, a white lacy parasol was erected to shade her. Seated in the chair in front of her was the male with the deep blue hair and she gazed into his one visible eye, her smirk widening. 

“Welcome to the Witches Tea Party.” She greeted him, setting her saucer and teacup back onto the table. There also was placed a saucer and teacup in front of the male as well as a plate with different types of cookies. The tea carried a strange fragrance that wasn’t good nor bad, much like the contents of the tea itself. Echidona leaned forward, propping her elbows on the table and resting her chin atop the bridge of her hands.