AN: I'm on a bit of an Owl House rush. The next update will be Marvelous Blade.
Chapter 1: Mask of Leadership
Boiling Isles
The Emperor's Castle
The inner circle of the Empire gathered in the throne room to discuss the events of last night. Suffice to say, it was a huge blow to public perception and their authority.
At the end of a red carpet and atop a decorated seat was a man in a golden mask with two long upward-facing horns. A large white and brown cape with gold trim draped over him, concealing much of his body. At his side, a guard wearing a Golden Mask stood at attention.
A large purple masked demon in a white sleeveless tunic and black trousers was followed by two rotund men in cone masks in a gray long-sleeved shirt and black pants. They were Warden Wrath and his Coven Guards. Three men got down to one knee in the middle of the room, head down in shame in front of their dear Emperor. "Words cannot express my failure, your highness. The mass breakout at the Conformatorium is inexcusable. I had a plan to capture the wild magic user, Eda Clawthorne, but she was too clever, and we paid dearly for it."
"Really?" voiced a short red-skinned demon with conjoined hands which make up her hair. "Rumor has it that you were trying to woo her into a relationship," snarked Kikimora.
An ivory-skinned witch with dark navy hair and mint green eyes seemed surprised by the statement.
Warden Wrath and his Guards blanched at the accusation. Someone in their ranks had loose lips on the matter. Wrath cleared his throat. "I can assure you, emperor. Nothing like that happened."
Kikimora, the Emperor's assistant, wasn't convinced. "Oh really? Why don't we-"
Before the issue could continue, the Emperor raised his hand to silence them. "The excess details do not matter. From what you have said, the true cause for concern are the escaped prisoners."
Grateful for the save, Warden Wrath answered. "That is true, my liege. Again, I apologize."
The Emperor held a wanted poster of the witch and a small creature. "Eda Clawthorne is one of the most wanted." His presence seemed firm and calculating over the entire room. "Are any of those escapees dangerous to the public safety of our people? Did anyone excessively violent escape?"
Warden Wrath sighed in relief. "Thankfully, no. The Class One prisoners were wise enough to stay away from the cells on the lower levels. Sadly, the contraband room was raided before we could get the situation back under control."
Kikimora frowned. "That can't be. I'm told that a magical force field, not even the Owl Lady can get through, was in place there."
Wrath shook his head. "I don't know how, but the Owl Lady had an accomplice. She was somehow able to pass through."
"Impossible. How?"
"Perhaps this person wasn't magical at all," answered the pale, dark-haired witch, Lilith Clawthorne.
A Guard Captain on the side seemed confused. "That can't be. No live humans have even been seen on the isle for centuries."
The Emperor seemed to take interest in that fact.
"If you have a better explanation, I'm open to them," replied Wrath.
"We can talk more about… humans another time," stated the Emperor. "What recommendations do you have regarding security?"
Lilith stepped forward to the Emperor. "Your grace, it is my responsibility to bring my sister in. I do not blame Wrath's failure on himself. Eda can be a hard stubborn fool to deal with." She got down to one knee as well. "As promised, I will do my best to convince my sister to join our coven, and you will cure her of the curse."
"... That is the agreement that has been made. I do not go back on them."
"As expected of our wise ruler." Kikimora nodded.
Lilith stood back up. "My Coven Scouts and I will increase our patrols to locate the escapees and Eda."
Kikimora gestured to the mechanical purple blob creature beside her. "I will speak with the Blight household to acquire more Abomaton soldiers."
The Warden and his guards stood firm once more. "We will reinforce the Conformatorium when the prisoners return."
"Do you have any objections to our tasks, Emperor Belos?"
The leader sat still in contemplation. "... I do not. Report to me when new developments are made."
"Understood," they all replied. With that, the three heads and their subordinates left the room, leaving only Belos and his Golden Guard.
"May I please have a moment alone to think?"
The guard seemed reluctant. "Are you sure, uncle?"
"Please…Hunter."
He bowed in understanding. "As you wish." A moment later, the emperor was alone with his thoughts.
After confirming this fact, the Emperor's body slumped in simultaneous pain and relief, resting his head on his palm. 'Thank God that's over. I don't know how long I could keep a straight face.' His right arm was fidgeting in discomfort. The mask he wore was rubbing up against his sensitive ears. It didn't help that a familiar wave of nausea hit him like a truck.
It had all started days before. He had found consciousness in a decorated bedroom. When he looked into a mirror, the sight frightened him until he was able to get his mind under control. Knocks at the door sent him into a panic. Judging by the portrait on the wall and the uniformed mannequin, this was his new body's room. Unsure exactly what to do, he got dressed in the same mask and cloak as the painting. He was greeted by a golden masked guard who called him Uncle Belos before correcting himself and saying, my Emperor. His mental panic since that day had not gone down. He had been delegating decisions to these supposed subordinates, but he didn't know how long that would suffice.
'What kind of world am I in? Why? How the hell am I supposed to cure that woman's sister?! Why am I of all people dropped into this political position?!'
His body quickly went still as a familiar anomaly occurred once more. A deep and ancient voice sounded through his mind. "Protect my son."
'I need more than that! What does the son of a country-sized Titan even look like?!"
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