Series: Reversal||Title: Loyalty Redirected
Characters: Juudai, Camula, Ryou, Johan||Ship: Juudai x Johan (mild, implied)
Chapters: 1-1||Words: 500
Genre: Drama||Rated: PG
Challenges: Diversity Writing: GX: Reversal: A78 (generate a random word & use it in the drabble: kneel)
Notes: Reversal AU, post Johan brainwashing, post reveal of Ryou as a spy. Vampirism indicated, so technical death?
Summary: Spying upon Haou comes with a high price – one's own life. But dying is far too simple and far less painful than what Haou has in mind. As Ryou has now found out.
Normally Johan knelt at Juudai's feet when he gathered his court together. Today he stood at attention at Juudai's right hand, his focus evenly split between his master and the door to the throne room.
All of Juudai's attention remained on the door. He waited, ignoring the low babble of voices from those who comprised his court, keeping aware of the length of shadows outside. He didn't normally keep everyone gathered long after sunset, since he preferred to enjoy himself once night covered the land. But tonight was special.
Less than a quarter of an hour after the last bit of daylight faded, the door opened and Camula entered. She strolled forward, waving a greeting towards one or two of her distant kindred as she approached, and bent her head gracefully towards Juudai.
"Well?" Only that word fell from his lips. Camula smiled a wicked smile.
"Haou-sama, might I introduce my newest child? The result of your gift to me, whom I now return to you."
Juudai tilted his own head in a gracious nod. "Present him to us."
Camula made no visible gestures, but through the doorway there stepped someone familiar to all of those who'd served Haou for years. Fallen Angel Marie stepped forward, wings spread, eyes flashing in rage.
"Haou-sama! What is this traitor doing here unchained?"
Juudai raised one hand. "Because I will it so." His golden eyes flicked to Camula, who turned towards Hell Kaiser.
"Kneel," she ordered, and at once, the proud former rebel dropped to his knees before Haou, eyes downcast and his entire posture submissive.
Juudai smirked as he leaned forward to brush his fingers through Hell Kaiser's hair. There wasn't a hint of resistance, and he couldn't decide if he were pleased about this or not. Obedience pleased him as much as the will to fight – if only because he enjoyed breaking that will.
"Show them what you are now," he ordered. Hell Kaiser raised his head and his lips parted, showing a pair of sharp, vicious fangs to the entire throne room.
Camula also rested a hand on her spawn's shoulder. "He's one of mine now," she announced. "And I hereby grant full authority to command him to Haou-sama and to no other."
"The position of Executioner is no longer held by my Consort-General," Juudai announced to all, favoring Johan with the warmest nod that he could manage. "Now the Hell Kaiser fills that task. Any whom I decree deserving of death will be his food. He answers only to me from this moment onward. Also, should any raise a hand against Johan, he will tear them limb from limb."
He regarded Hell Kaiser once more, then smiled. As might be expected, it wasn't a pleasant expression.
"Do you understand that, Hell Kaiser Marufuji Ryou? From now on, you belong to me."
That had been drilled into Hell Kaiser's head since the discovery of his treachery. But now no one could change that. Hell Kaiser nodded.
"Yes, Haou-sama. I understand."
The End
Notes: I have nine drabbles total I'm going to write with the word "kneel" in there. This isn't the only one with Ryou. But all in due time.