My physical form retakes shape within the senate space of The Elder Council. The eldest registered resident or citizen from each district is present. Additionally, the eldest member of each race of the people of night and darkness; the kind of people some would call monsters. The only monster I see is the one in my seat. Down the row from the Black Lotus seating, is the advisor’s chair, the Lt. at Muertes’s side.
Though my heart pounds like the furious, salted surf against a dock in the storm, my presence displayed is the ever floating buoy in the harbor. Bowing my head as my flesh form finishes materializing. “My most humble apologies for my tardiness.”
Elder Council Speaker Vampira the First One, folds her hands at her podium. “No need for apologies Guardian Emperor, The Crown is not tardy due to The Empress’s timely attendance. Have a seat, Dark Shepherd.”
Quickly and silently I bow my head to the Elder, then make my way to Malencia.
“Hello handsome.” She speaks softly with a smile, her eyes run an investigative scan upon me, as she holds out her talon to me.
Taking a kneel as my talon takes hers to my lips, as I must. “Hello Gorgeous Terror.” Kissing her talon to keep the peace feels as if I betray myself.
Still upon my knee, her talon in mine, looking up into her haunting gaze. “May I have the honor of a word with you in private before we begin?”
She giggles in a haughty way with her head lifted, obviously feeling the weight of my heart through the holding of our talons in this way. Casting only her eyes down to me.
“Oh my sweet little crow king, anything you say to me in private can be said before The Elder Council.” She then looks about the room to each of them. “Is this correct?”
They each nod or say some semblance of yes.
“Very well then my goddess.” Kissing her talon one last time, then rising to my toelans.
Turning toward the U-shape rows of the elder court.
Gracefully I walk toward the middle of them, giving myself space from my wife. Smirking would be my downfall from this now pinnacle perch, the situation is dire and must be carried with reverence. Turning fully back toward Malencia, my head bows low then slowly rises.
“Sweet moonflower-” She smiles with a decadent vile. “Speak quickly or come, sit beside me and let The Elder Council speak.”
A chill travels down my spine as she performatively pats what should be her seat. Turning my back to Malencia is a foolish move, yet it must be done. I face The Elder Council again.
“As Guardian of Darkness, I nominate this meeting to take recess or be adjourned.”
Lord Gyn Dekkae, more than just the elder lich, he is the high lich king. He writes a note and passes it down the row in perfect protocol to Vampira. The speaker stands and looks me in the eyes. “Upon what grounds?”
Feeling all eyes upon me, taking another pause to remain calm. “We have a division stationed by the light realm, The Empress was supposed to be out leading an enemy supply cut mission.”
Turning my head toward my wife. “Goddess of love and war, you orchestrated that whole mission and then volunteered to lead them yourself because the planet in question has thirty-four hours of daylight and two hours of night and even so that night is more like twilight. I do not appreciate you abandoning your post, especially when you are said post’s architect and engineer.”
Now addressing the council from my heart. “Without either me or the empress, it will be a suicide mission. Please postpone this court. I know what it is like to have to bury your childlings. The parents of our warriors will not suffer seeing their little soldier’s cold abandonment by the crown as long as I reign. As for the orphaned and estranged warriors, if they are under the wings of service then they too are under my wings. We are servants to our people.”
Out of the corner of my eyes, an infuriated little fire lights within Malencia’s eyes. Once again I turn toward her. For once, she is speechless, yet in the silence I can feel the heat from her anger as the chains upon my soul crush from within. Staring straight into her spinel eyes is like staring into a crimson void.
A grave mistake, I have given my abuser the upper-talon by letting my fractured heart do the talking. She faces not the Elder Council, but me. I can tell in her eyes that I will be punished for my crime of outspoken rebellion. As long as it is me who takes the flog and not my daughters, then I will pay this toll. She can break my lost loving heart no further.
Malencia remains sitting, her power and grace commands full attention as all gazes fall upon her now. Her right eyebrow twitches ever so slightly. Her composure only slips for a moment, she fiercely regains it with a toothy smirk, as she rises from her seat.
“I have already taken care of it with my own talons. A black hole was created and seeded into the center of that star world. Rest easy dear guardian, I would never abandon my post nor those truly subservient. That division will come home, and you will get your precious reports by the end of the lunation. Now stop bothering the elders and join me where you belong.”
Cornered again by her, everytime I carve a way out, she disarms me.
Deeply sighing, then one step at a time on this silent and heavy walk back. Once I approach, she puts a talon on the seat she patted so gently only moments ago. Her talon becomes engulfed in a magic darker than the color black, the magic itself takes hold of the seat and crushes it into senseless energy, becoming just part of the air, part of the darkness of this world. All this in an instant before our eyes.
She casts off her magic, now slowly with the same talon pointing to a spot at her feet. Her leer fixed into my soul is enough to cast a momentary paralysis. She speaks with malicious glee. “Where you belong, my dark and decadent guardian.”
So this is my price to pay for my outspokenness. If I continue, I will save myself. Fighting her will show the council everything they need to see. However, I do not take her threats lightly. A life without my childlings will not be worth living.
Heavy heartedly bringing myself first to one knee, and then the sound of a great slam, a violent punch to wood rings out in the council chamber.
All heads turn to Elder Corvapian Shala Nisha as she rises from her seat. Her sapphire eyes pierce into hearts, her raven feathers dull with age. But not without strength as she commands the room’s attention by shouting and ignoring the Speaker and all mannerisms.
“I will not see Guardian Emperor Karasu Koriath, the only childling of Karasu Iku, treated in such a vile way.”
Elder Vampira clutches her podium tight, turning her head toward Elder Shala. “We have a speaking system for a reason Shala, and your words are breaking a law that-”
“A law that what, Council Speaker? Why would I be afraid to die, I am an Elder. I have survived my husband and my childlings. I have seen great terrors no person should know.”
Elder Shala turns from Vampira to me. “Terrors that should not be unfolding to the son of my savior. Our Dark Shepherd should not have to come home to the abuses he fights against across the multiverses.”
Though her form is frail, her determination and will carries her as she walks from her seating. Not using her two pointing fingers, but an arm spread wide and a flat palm as she faces the council. “This woman- no this demon in his throne and bed, should not be Empress.”
Elder Shala lowers her arm as her voice carries strength without shouting.“Kill me, torture me all you want Malencia. Just as you have with your own childlings.”
My childlings… Lowering my head to keep any tears from forming. An indescribable pain sears my heart as grief and sorrow pour from it, wings arching and feathers puffing as anger starts to creep in. Anger not just at Malencia, also at myself, at these talons that were too weak.
“Go ahead Malencia, I dare you. Show the council what you really are in the shadows… A cowardly usurper and traitor of the people.”
“Sweet Moonflower, work your power and soften their hearts. Defend me.” When Malencia speaks into my being like this, it is not a prayer. No, not like everyone else. Hers feels like a possession. When she speaks into me like this, I can only hear her. All other senses forfeit.
However, I cannot speak to her with the same haunting frequency she does with me. Unfortunately, only through prayer can I respond. For what she has done to my childlings… I refuse to pray to her anymore.
Elder Gyn rises from his seat, just as Elder Shala did, though without the throwing of fists. “Elder Shala, Elder Vampira, we have a delicate situation before us, one which carries with it not just the living, but the dead as well.”
Vampira turns to Gyn “And of the undead? Of those who cannot die?”
“Doubly so, as we have a foot in each world. Just as our Guardian Emperor and Warrior Empress each have a toe-lan in their own worlds. Now both of you sit down.”
“I refuse to be seated while the blood ether of night and darkness, the anointed bearer of The Black Lotus, must kneel or take seat at the toelans of this blood-lusting, mind corrupting demon lord disguised as a Corvapian.” Elder Shala heats furiously.
“Koriath, say something.” Malencia’s voice inside me lowers in pitch and increases in strength. She does not rise. Her voice to address the Elder Council is like a wild rose bush; decadently beautiful with thorns hidden under greenery.
“Elder Shala, you had the privilege that your traumatic era in life was in adulthood. Must I remind you again of the roots of my violence?”
My heart beats faster as I feel the chains of her curse strain my soul. All the dead… the living… those who cannot die… Such shame that haunts me, terror that plagues my dreams. Wrath that cannot be so easily soothed. I should have had our marriage annulled after what she did to Desiderius and I. That night in the garden, should have been the last Malencia was able to stand upon this holy ground.
Malencia’s chuckle is as soft as silk and ensarring as web. “Story time for the senile senate. Once upon a time, there was a little corvapian baby who lived amongst the cosmos, outside the Dimperium. A great white light came upon us. Hunting Eegles, a Legion of Light, as their King Haelius commands. These are our current enemies, yes? This is the war we fight? These absurd genocidal maniacs from forces beyond our abysses and voids?”
A symphony of yes, nods, and soft whispers to each other as they slowly become entranced into her tale. A tale I once believed, yet now… I doubt she will tell it in its entirety and truth.
There is more, however I cannot figure out what it is. Within this moment, my heart and mind do not care to understand her past. Clearly this tale was crafted to manipulate the present as she needs it. It worked on me, and I have the experience to know the horrors of her soul.
She continues. “Surviving on the dark matter and dark energy of space; I was a heartless, mindless, feasting little thing. Until my soul felt the presence of that great white hunting light again. As if chosen by The Great Voids itself, my little feathers fell from my wings. I followed their intoxicating perfume of hatred and greed. Then finally upon their starfleet, their light did not burn me. The darkness in my soul bent light around me like a black hole. As such a blessed beast, each of them I consumed.”
As she continues, her feathers fall, and those tendrils of hers begin to manifest.
“Pure as justice and revenge for my people, pale the color of destruction, dark the blessing of The Void. Then something blossomed from beneath falling feathers, like climbing vines seeking new heights. I found out that I love the sensation. No force nor person shall stand in my way. I will end this war with these very gifts of The Void of My Heart.”
The only truth is that her heart is a void and that she is unyielding when she is seeking and hunting her desires.
Elder Shala stands, despite Malencia’s power display and entrancing words. “You immigrated under militant policy, a childling mercenary was taken in with pity. Under Iku’s reign your climb through the ranks was as fast as your mist flight. It was through Emperor Koriath that you rose to Empress and High General. You took an oath to serve, yet the only thing you have served your family and your people is the same feast you serve our enemies; death, destruction, heartache, and woe.”
Malencia’s grip within me is not only constricting, it is infecting the clarity of my emotions. Unable to stop myself as the energy of a stormy night brings my talons into fists. Her so-called proof of love upon my body is now healing. My body turns toward the council, trying to remain as calm and patient as I physically can.
“That is enough good Elder, a recess is to be taken. This is no longer a nomination, my heart can only tolerate civility. The Elder Council may continue to bicker at each other, however the Empress and I are not here to give emotional senior care.”
Heavy silence falls upon the room now as Shala stands as if I have betrayed the Elders. Turning to this demon lord that I am stuck with. Gently offering out my talon to her, speaking softly as not to enrage her any further.
“Come Mali, take a walk with me.”
Giggling to herself as she takes my talon, then shoots a smirk toward Elder Shala.
“Do not antagonize the elders, dear empress. Let us return after they sort themselves amongst each other.” Forcing myself to kiss her talon once more.
She holds tight to mine, then exchanges the gesture. Once my talon leaves her lips she gives me the same smirk. “Do not command me dear emperor.”
Raising one of my wings for the performance of shielding Malencia from the Elders, in truth I feel ashamed to walk beside her.
As we walk past Advisor Muertes and Lt. D. Vayav, Lady Amara hides her face in disgust as Devadas searches mine for that semblance of a plan. I am sorry Battle Brother, this was not part of the plan, my dance has been made to be improv. I look away from my friends, who are just as frustrated and ashamed as I am. My captress and I walk out of the meeting room and into the shadowy timber hall.
“Malencia, it is with great urgency that I need to speak with you. However due to recent vows, I could not bring myself to all the words in public for fear of your retaliation.” Lowering my wing from her, trying to pull my talon from hers.
“Is that so?” She does not surrender her grasp. Malencia forces her talon-fingers to link between mine. My heart feels invaded by a blade as she pries through closed talon tips.
“Yes.” With a heavy sigh, giving up and letting her win this one. If holding talons with each other is all she wants, she can have it. It's just a talon. There is a real battle before me.
She continues holding onto me as we walk together further down the hall. “What is on your mind Moonflower?”
“No pet names please, I know you do not mean it with affection.”
“Oh sweet Kori, what’s wrong now?”
I try to pull away from her talon again, but her fingers constrict around mine. “Not in the halls. Will you follow me somewhere else? Somewhere just the two of us?”
“Oh! Where did you have in mind?” Her eyes shift.
“Is the roof alright with you?” Summoning up the strength to continue is heavy.
“Koriath!” Her voice perks up, her eyes almost seem to sparkle for just a second, then her giggling snuffs it.
“Do not get too excited, Malencia. I wish to talk, nothing else.”
“Let’s go!” With a smile on her mouth she envelops her energy with mine in a non soul swapping way, the way one mist travels with another.
The two of us rematerialize on the rooftop of the palace, on a side hidden between points from guards and roof exits. The endless night of this pocket dimension planet is now our ceiling. She releases her hold on me, squatting down to sit, then laying back. With an arm and wing out she invites me to lay beside her, her eyes beckoning.
Standing my ground, feet place firmly on the cold timber roofing. “This is not a conversation to be had laying as lovers, get up.”
“That makes it all the more reason to do so.”
Squatting into sitting beside her, just out of her arm’s reach. “You are not going to take me seriously are you?”
“Of course I will, what is wrong Kori?”
“You…” Holding back my anger the best I can, a war inside my heart rages. Fighting for control of my words, my emotions versus survival patterns.
“Malencia, you have been hitting the girls. Why?” My heart forces my eyes to scry into hers.
“That night? Koriath, I told you-”
“Not the night I tried divorcing you over.”
She looks at me serenely. “I would not call it hitting; who told you this?”
“No one had to tell me anything, I see it in those ruby and garnet eyes. Their pain I feel in my heart. You hit Kurai recently. Was it after you made that vow?” My talons draw into a fist as I fight to keep that rage strapped to the side of my thigh.
“No, it was before I called you to the garden, and I have not done it since.”
“I should have divorced you ages ago, like that night you put that curse on me.”
“I only did that curse because you ran away. You should have learned your lesson.”
“I have learned my lesson, Malencia. If you cause one more feather or hair to fall from Kurai or Phantisma, if you ever harm them again, I will act within my full power. You take advantage of my kindness. You ran my love for you into the burial chamber. The man who loved you died with his son.”
“The old you died, yes, but I have grown quite fond of the new you. The new you is worthy of my affection and protection.” She reaches for my cheek.
Gently grabbing her wrist to stop her. “And what of our childlings? Why are they not worthy of your affection and protection? Or could it be that no such graces exist within you?”
“Koriath, what has gotten into you? I told you we could restart.”
“How can I restart with you-” My head lowers to my knees, holding tight to myself as tears finally fall fast. “Kurai has your disgusting feather to ethereal limb attack. It hurt her to use it, but she was so angry with me.”
“Oh, she can do that? Wow, how powerful, how beautiful. See? I told you she is the promising one.”
“What in the hell worlds are you talking about? She does not use the power the way you do-”
“Well yea, she is a childling.”
“And what do you mean the promising one? I love both of them equally, regardless of what they can and cannot do. Regardless of strength or intelligence. In fact, I miss Phantisma already. Those two should not be separated-”
“-Should not be separated? Koriath they are co-dependent on each other. They need individualism and backbone. This separation is healthy for both of them, why can’t you see this?”
“Nothing you have done to this family is healthy. I am just as guilty for allowing this to happen. Never again Malencia, do you hear me?”
“I am behaving Kori, don’t worry your pretty little head. As long as you remember your place. Remember that your precious little daughters need you to keep them safe from my talons. It all depends on you sweet husband, your words, your actions. Now, do you want to lay with me here or are we going back to the meeting?”
“Let us go back to the meeting after I wash off this paint. That is, if you are actually giving me the choice.” I hold my talon out to help her up.
“Fine, but you owe me an anniversary date.” She takes her talon in mine.
Pulling her up to her toelans. “Oh I am the one who owes you? No Mali, you are the one who owes me.”
Once she stands with her own strength, she pulls me toward her. My body flinches as she softly puts a talon on my mid back.
“Fine then Kori, I will play the act of soft and sweet for that little aching sorrow of yours. However you will be the one who goes wherever I tell you to go, and be seen as the one treating me.”
“That is the most fair proposition you have given me in ages.” Laughing nervously as I gently pry her off of me.