Approximately 20 years later…
The conquest of the Earth was beginning. Slowly, surely, terribly, it was starting. And at
the head of it, was me. Lord Golbez. Second only to Master Zemus. Naturally, there
weren't many people who even knew about Zemus. They thought that it was for Master
Golbez. How I love the feeling of power.
"Come to me, my Four Emperors," I murmured. A smirk crossed my face… they were at
my beck and call, these powerful warriors.
Four flashes of light, a roar of stone, a swirl of water, a gust of wind and a flare of fire
later, the Four Emperors were standing before me.
The smallest of the four, who was surrounded by rocks and gravel from his teleport spell
glared quite bitterly at me as he wrapped his cloak tighter around his skinny body. "What
do you want, Golbez?"
I regarded him coolly. "You still don't like answering to me, do you Scarmiglione?
You're the weakest of the Four Emperors, and you're the one who always questions my
commands, like I should thank you for listening."
Scarmiglione spat at my feet, as the other three looked on disapprovingly. "You still
haven't proven to me that you even deserve obedience. You can't be that strong. You're
just a stupid human."
"That's not important. I'm second only to Master Zemus, that's all you need to know." I
clenched a fist behind my back. Scarmiglione was really getting to me. He shouldn't
have, and that made me angry at myself as well as him. "Rubicant?"
"Yes?" the flame man replied coolly, smoothing his cape.
"Is young Scarmiglione's insubordination tolerable by your opinion?"
"Of course not. He was assigned to your control by Master Zemus, and must follow
orders given by you unless he has a solid reason to doubt your competence, which he
does not have at the given time. To disobey you without proper grounding and reasoning
would be to question the judgment of Master Zemus himself."
"Barbaricia, do you agree?"
"Of course." The blonde sniffed disapprovingly, wrinkling her nose. "Scarmiglione is
still young. He doesn't know what he's talking about."
"Cagnazzo?" I arched an eyebrow at the turtle-demon from behind my mask. "Anything
to add?"
"Scarmiglione is an idiot," Cagnazzo said in a bored tone, poking his head out of his
thick carapace. "And I think we should kill him if he doesn't shape up pretty soon.
Doesn't that sound nice?"
Rubicant and Barbaricia both nodded.
"Well then," I said succinctly, "That's settled. Scarmiglione, shape up or you're dead.
Don't worry, we'll give you all the time in the world."
He glared at me, but said nothing.
"I suppose you're wondering why I've called you all here today," I sneered, still looking
at Scarmiglione. "The answer to that is that we need to gather the Elemental Crystals,
both light and dark. The best tools for that purpose would be humans. At the current time,
a country called Baron is the world's top military power. I want one of you to off the king
and use his air force—which is called the Red Wings—to gather the Crystals of Light.
The process of gathering the Crystals of Darkness will be much easier with that over and
done."
I scanned the four Emperors: Scarmiglione was still sullen and defiant, Cagnazzo looked
like a soldier who had just been dismissed from the day's drills and Barbaricia and
Rubicant looked merely bored. "Cagnazzo, I would like you to take the place of the King
of Baron."
"Yes, sir." With a flash of light and a swirl of water, Cagnazzo was gone.
"The rest of you may leave." The remaining Emperors left without a word, and I was
alone again. I sat back in a chair and surveyed my room for what must have been the
sixth time that day. My plan required a given amount of waiting on my part and I was
growing bored with it already.
I was, however, almost surprised that the young Scarmiglione hadn't asked why I'd
wanted to gather the Crystals. It was exactly the type of question that he would normally
ask. I supposed the other Emperors were getting to him. He still didn't respect me, that
was painfully obvious.
I sighed and reached for a decanter on the table by my chair. I poured a glass of whatever
clear beverage was in it into a glass and took a sip. A slow smile spread across my face.
200 proof vodka. I'd be stark raving drunk on a glass or two of this. Better than anyone
else could do—it would most likely kill them. How proud I am of myself. And what a
stupid thing to be proud of. There was no room for failure in this, and thus no time to get
drunk. I didn't care.
I downed the remainder of the glass in three swigs and poured another one, which I
downed in four. Then a third glass. I lost track of how many swallows it took me… my
vision began to blur and my hands shook, but I poured another glass and drank it. One
more… I took a sip.
The glass fell from my hands and shattered on the hard crystal floor. I barely even heard
the sound of the breaking glass. I flopped back and closed my eyes for a short nap. I
heard blood rushing in my ears, and a sickly sort of hum that was most likely the crystals
vibrating… they were magical, after all.
Finally, I fell asleep. I dreamed of pink airships and goblins eating donuts by the
hundreds. Then I was jolted awake, quite suddenly. The vodka must have had a more
powerful effect than I'd thought it would have. Well, I had drunk… how many glasses? I
couldn't remember. I was so tired, but my stomach was roiling. With all the energy I
could muster, I pushed back the visor of my helmet, turned my head and vomited into the
small wastebasket by my bed.
I fell asleep again, and again I was jolted awake, this time by some telepathic message
beamed into my head.
Permission to speak to you, Master Golbez? It was Cagnazzo. Why was he getting
back to me so soon?
Permission granted. My head was clearer now than it had been, the vodka must have
worn off. Why are you getting back to me so soon?
So soon? Cagnazzo's mind-voice sounded puzzled. Master Golbez, it's been two
weeks.
Oh. I guess I really had been drunk. Report on your progress so far.
The Baronian king is dead, and I have assumed his form. The Red Wings air force of
the country is under the control of a man named Cecil Harvey, who wields the Dark
Sword. He is now headed toward Mysidia, to collect the Water Crystal, the first of the
Elemental Crystals that we will take possession of. He sounded almost proud of his
work.
Cecil Harvey… for a moment, the name sounded a bit familiar, like the name of a
childhood friend that had long been forgotten. Of course, I had no childhood friends, but
that was the kind of vague memory that it was to me. I shook the thought from my head.
Thinking like that was inexcusably stupid.
Good work, I said shortly. I need sleep now, Cagnazzo, so leave me, but report any
progress or potential threats. The Summoners of Mist are also a threat to us, as they
possess great power. Wipe them out as well.
As you wish, sir. With that, Cagnazzo closed the link between us.
I poured myself a glass of water, took a sleeping pill and lay back on my bed, to wait
some more. again I drifted off to sleep, but this time I had no dreams. Nothing but the
sweet darkness that enveloped every last part of me, and numbed the pain of my
hangover, the boredom of my waiting, the bitterness of everything around me, nothing
but darkness…
I awoke early the next morning to sunlight reflecting off the crystal walls. It was warm on
my face, and, despite the irritating things about it, I pulled off my helmet—why had I
slept in my helmet?—and let the sunbeams fall across my pallid face. I felt a twinge of
bitterness, followed by another of… something else. Wait… it was hunger. I was hungry.
I snapped my fingers and sent a sting of magic through the crystal walls and floors,
calling for a servant.
A girl came into the room, minutes later. She was about sixteen, by the look of her. I
scanned her once, then lay down on my bed again. "You're late."
She shivered and stared at the crystal floor. "I'm sorry, Master."
I glared at her for a moment, then sighed. "At least you know what you're doing. I'm
hungry, girl. Get me something to eat, I don't care what. And get me some coffee too,
I've got a god-awful hangover."
"Yes, sir." She scuttled out of the room.
I lounged back and brushed my hair out of my eyes. What color was my hair? I didn't
know. I hadn't seen it in so long, since I was always wearing that helmet. It felt strange to
be out of it. I didn't like the feeling, but for the sake of experience I kept it off.
The girl came back quickly, carrying a tray. She put it down on the table next to my bed
and started to leave the room as quietly as she could. I still heard her. I even saw her put
the tray down. "I didn't say you could leave," I told her quietly.
She froze, then turned slowly to face me.
"Tell me something, girl." I narrowed my eyes. "What color is my hair?"
She blinked. "I'm sorry?"
"You heard me, girl. What color is my hair?"
"Black?"
"Is that a statement or a question? Are you colorblind?"
"No, sir."
"No, you're not colorblind, or no, that isn't a statement or a question?"
"I'm not colorblind, sir."
"So my hair is black."
"Yes sir."
My eyes lost a touch of their narrowness. "So what color are my eyes then?"
"I don't know sir."
"Why not?"
"I've never seen them, sir."
"So look into my eyes and tell me what color they are," I snapped.
She looked up, fearful. "Blue, sir."
"Excellent." I smiled a cruel, oily smile. "What does my face look like?"
"What do you mean sir?"
"Am I handsome, do you think?"
"Y-yes, Master Golbez."
I gripped a dagger in my hand, keeping it concealed. "Come here, girl." She did. "You've
seen my face, girl. You know what I look like."
"Y-yes?"
"I can't allow that to get out." I whipped the dagger from its hiding place and pointed it at
her. "You must die now."
Her eyes widened, and she tried to back away from me, but she'd been totally paralyzed
with fear. "W-why?"
I smiled at her again, still cruelly. "I think you know the answer to that now."
She glared at me suddenly with the resolve of a soldier with nothing left to fight for. "Do
you even know my name, Golbez? Do you even know who I am?"
"That's enough," I snapped. My wrist flicked and the dagger slashed through the girl's
throat. Her body froze for a split second, then the last of the life faded from her eyes and
her body dropped to the floor.
I turned my attention to the tray the girl had brought up with her. It was a good spread…
if she'd put it together herself she would have been an almost serious loss from my staff.
I shrugged. It wasn't like there was any less than an abundant supply of humans.
I picked up a biscuit from the tray and bit into it. The flavor of butter and sugar filled my
mouth. Delicious. I washed it down with a swig of wine. It was good wine, and sweet.
The aroma wafted up from the decanter to fill my nostrils. I put it back on the tray… that
was dessert wine, not a drink for the middle of a meal. Besides, I'd had enough alcohol to
last me a good while.
There was beer on the tray to drink during the meal—more alcohol—and a broiled
steak… medium rare. I picked up the knife and fork and cut a piece off of it. The meat
cut easily under the knife's edge. I put it in my mouth and chewed. It was good meat…
one of the best parts of this job was the food. I picked up a large covered mug and took a
swig of its contents. Coffee. Delicious really, but I needed food more than I needed
caffeine.
But I wasn't hungry. I hadn't exerted myself enough. I hadn't done anything but eat and
sleep and drink for the past few weeks. I touched my face. It felt like a skull. Maybe I
was handsome, but I could have been much more so if I'd taken care of myself…
No! What was I thinking? Why am I thinking like this? I can't! It's a sign of weakness! I
slammed my head against the crystal wall. I felt so stupid. Not at all like I was supposed
to think and feel. Not at all. I kept banging my head against the wall. Stupid stupid stupid.
I felt bruises forming on my head, and stopped banging my head against the wall to look
in the mirror. Purplish bruises were forming across my forehead. I shrugged and put my
helmet back on… it felt so much better that way. I felt myself breathing easier. You'd
think my helmet was addictive or something. Oh well.
Permission to speak, Master Golbez? Cagnazzo was back. Again.
"I don't really have a choice," I muttered. Permission granted. Report.
The Dark Knight Cecil Harvey has shown disloyalty to my operations. I believe he may
suspect me. I have sent him, accompanied by the Dragon Knight Cain to deliver the
Bomb Ring to Mist. They may be a threat to us, especially if they get past the dragon
guarding Mist, but they will either die or wipe out the Summoners.
Good. I assume that you have the Water Crystal.
You are correct in that assumption, Master Golbez. The fleet is being mobilized soon to
take the Fire Crystal from Damcyan, then the Wind Crystal of Fabul. We will save
Toroia's Earth Crystal for last, as the country is the best defended and the Red Wings will
need all of the experience they can get. Cagnazzo's voice sounded a bit stiff.
Stress getting to you, Cagnazzo? I asked him lightly.
Yes, sir. I am feeling stressed. A mental sigh touched me, then was retracted. It's
very tiring, working like this. I don't know how you manage it.
If you must know, it's easier on me, with all of these people to serve me. You're doing
very well, Cagnazzo. You should get some rest, you sound tired.
Thank you, sir. And he was gone.
The conquest of the Earth was beginning. Slowly, surely, terribly, it was starting. And at
the head of it, was me. Lord Golbez. Second only to Master Zemus. Naturally, there
weren't many people who even knew about Zemus. They thought that it was for Master
Golbez. How I love the feeling of power.
"Come to me, my Four Emperors," I murmured. A smirk crossed my face… they were at
my beck and call, these powerful warriors.
Four flashes of light, a roar of stone, a swirl of water, a gust of wind and a flare of fire
later, the Four Emperors were standing before me.
The smallest of the four, who was surrounded by rocks and gravel from his teleport spell
glared quite bitterly at me as he wrapped his cloak tighter around his skinny body. "What
do you want, Golbez?"
I regarded him coolly. "You still don't like answering to me, do you Scarmiglione?
You're the weakest of the Four Emperors, and you're the one who always questions my
commands, like I should thank you for listening."
Scarmiglione spat at my feet, as the other three looked on disapprovingly. "You still
haven't proven to me that you even deserve obedience. You can't be that strong. You're
just a stupid human."
"That's not important. I'm second only to Master Zemus, that's all you need to know." I
clenched a fist behind my back. Scarmiglione was really getting to me. He shouldn't
have, and that made me angry at myself as well as him. "Rubicant?"
"Yes?" the flame man replied coolly, smoothing his cape.
"Is young Scarmiglione's insubordination tolerable by your opinion?"
"Of course not. He was assigned to your control by Master Zemus, and must follow
orders given by you unless he has a solid reason to doubt your competence, which he
does not have at the given time. To disobey you without proper grounding and reasoning
would be to question the judgment of Master Zemus himself."
"Barbaricia, do you agree?"
"Of course." The blonde sniffed disapprovingly, wrinkling her nose. "Scarmiglione is
still young. He doesn't know what he's talking about."
"Cagnazzo?" I arched an eyebrow at the turtle-demon from behind my mask. "Anything
to add?"
"Scarmiglione is an idiot," Cagnazzo said in a bored tone, poking his head out of his
thick carapace. "And I think we should kill him if he doesn't shape up pretty soon.
Doesn't that sound nice?"
Rubicant and Barbaricia both nodded.
"Well then," I said succinctly, "That's settled. Scarmiglione, shape up or you're dead.
Don't worry, we'll give you all the time in the world."
He glared at me, but said nothing.
"I suppose you're wondering why I've called you all here today," I sneered, still looking
at Scarmiglione. "The answer to that is that we need to gather the Elemental Crystals,
both light and dark. The best tools for that purpose would be humans. At the current time,
a country called Baron is the world's top military power. I want one of you to off the king
and use his air force—which is called the Red Wings—to gather the Crystals of Light.
The process of gathering the Crystals of Darkness will be much easier with that over and
done."
I scanned the four Emperors: Scarmiglione was still sullen and defiant, Cagnazzo looked
like a soldier who had just been dismissed from the day's drills and Barbaricia and
Rubicant looked merely bored. "Cagnazzo, I would like you to take the place of the King
of Baron."
"Yes, sir." With a flash of light and a swirl of water, Cagnazzo was gone.
"The rest of you may leave." The remaining Emperors left without a word, and I was
alone again. I sat back in a chair and surveyed my room for what must have been the
sixth time that day. My plan required a given amount of waiting on my part and I was
growing bored with it already.
I was, however, almost surprised that the young Scarmiglione hadn't asked why I'd
wanted to gather the Crystals. It was exactly the type of question that he would normally
ask. I supposed the other Emperors were getting to him. He still didn't respect me, that
was painfully obvious.
I sighed and reached for a decanter on the table by my chair. I poured a glass of whatever
clear beverage was in it into a glass and took a sip. A slow smile spread across my face.
200 proof vodka. I'd be stark raving drunk on a glass or two of this. Better than anyone
else could do—it would most likely kill them. How proud I am of myself. And what a
stupid thing to be proud of. There was no room for failure in this, and thus no time to get
drunk. I didn't care.
I downed the remainder of the glass in three swigs and poured another one, which I
downed in four. Then a third glass. I lost track of how many swallows it took me… my
vision began to blur and my hands shook, but I poured another glass and drank it. One
more… I took a sip.
The glass fell from my hands and shattered on the hard crystal floor. I barely even heard
the sound of the breaking glass. I flopped back and closed my eyes for a short nap. I
heard blood rushing in my ears, and a sickly sort of hum that was most likely the crystals
vibrating… they were magical, after all.
Finally, I fell asleep. I dreamed of pink airships and goblins eating donuts by the
hundreds. Then I was jolted awake, quite suddenly. The vodka must have had a more
powerful effect than I'd thought it would have. Well, I had drunk… how many glasses? I
couldn't remember. I was so tired, but my stomach was roiling. With all the energy I
could muster, I pushed back the visor of my helmet, turned my head and vomited into the
small wastebasket by my bed.
I fell asleep again, and again I was jolted awake, this time by some telepathic message
beamed into my head.
Permission to speak to you, Master Golbez? It was Cagnazzo. Why was he getting
back to me so soon?
Permission granted. My head was clearer now than it had been, the vodka must have
worn off. Why are you getting back to me so soon?
So soon? Cagnazzo's mind-voice sounded puzzled. Master Golbez, it's been two
weeks.
Oh. I guess I really had been drunk. Report on your progress so far.
The Baronian king is dead, and I have assumed his form. The Red Wings air force of
the country is under the control of a man named Cecil Harvey, who wields the Dark
Sword. He is now headed toward Mysidia, to collect the Water Crystal, the first of the
Elemental Crystals that we will take possession of. He sounded almost proud of his
work.
Cecil Harvey… for a moment, the name sounded a bit familiar, like the name of a
childhood friend that had long been forgotten. Of course, I had no childhood friends, but
that was the kind of vague memory that it was to me. I shook the thought from my head.
Thinking like that was inexcusably stupid.
Good work, I said shortly. I need sleep now, Cagnazzo, so leave me, but report any
progress or potential threats. The Summoners of Mist are also a threat to us, as they
possess great power. Wipe them out as well.
As you wish, sir. With that, Cagnazzo closed the link between us.
I poured myself a glass of water, took a sleeping pill and lay back on my bed, to wait
some more. again I drifted off to sleep, but this time I had no dreams. Nothing but the
sweet darkness that enveloped every last part of me, and numbed the pain of my
hangover, the boredom of my waiting, the bitterness of everything around me, nothing
but darkness…
I awoke early the next morning to sunlight reflecting off the crystal walls. It was warm on
my face, and, despite the irritating things about it, I pulled off my helmet—why had I
slept in my helmet?—and let the sunbeams fall across my pallid face. I felt a twinge of
bitterness, followed by another of… something else. Wait… it was hunger. I was hungry.
I snapped my fingers and sent a sting of magic through the crystal walls and floors,
calling for a servant.
A girl came into the room, minutes later. She was about sixteen, by the look of her. I
scanned her once, then lay down on my bed again. "You're late."
She shivered and stared at the crystal floor. "I'm sorry, Master."
I glared at her for a moment, then sighed. "At least you know what you're doing. I'm
hungry, girl. Get me something to eat, I don't care what. And get me some coffee too,
I've got a god-awful hangover."
"Yes, sir." She scuttled out of the room.
I lounged back and brushed my hair out of my eyes. What color was my hair? I didn't
know. I hadn't seen it in so long, since I was always wearing that helmet. It felt strange to
be out of it. I didn't like the feeling, but for the sake of experience I kept it off.
The girl came back quickly, carrying a tray. She put it down on the table next to my bed
and started to leave the room as quietly as she could. I still heard her. I even saw her put
the tray down. "I didn't say you could leave," I told her quietly.
She froze, then turned slowly to face me.
"Tell me something, girl." I narrowed my eyes. "What color is my hair?"
She blinked. "I'm sorry?"
"You heard me, girl. What color is my hair?"
"Black?"
"Is that a statement or a question? Are you colorblind?"
"No, sir."
"No, you're not colorblind, or no, that isn't a statement or a question?"
"I'm not colorblind, sir."
"So my hair is black."
"Yes sir."
My eyes lost a touch of their narrowness. "So what color are my eyes then?"
"I don't know sir."
"Why not?"
"I've never seen them, sir."
"So look into my eyes and tell me what color they are," I snapped.
She looked up, fearful. "Blue, sir."
"Excellent." I smiled a cruel, oily smile. "What does my face look like?"
"What do you mean sir?"
"Am I handsome, do you think?"
"Y-yes, Master Golbez."
I gripped a dagger in my hand, keeping it concealed. "Come here, girl." She did. "You've
seen my face, girl. You know what I look like."
"Y-yes?"
"I can't allow that to get out." I whipped the dagger from its hiding place and pointed it at
her. "You must die now."
Her eyes widened, and she tried to back away from me, but she'd been totally paralyzed
with fear. "W-why?"
I smiled at her again, still cruelly. "I think you know the answer to that now."
She glared at me suddenly with the resolve of a soldier with nothing left to fight for. "Do
you even know my name, Golbez? Do you even know who I am?"
"That's enough," I snapped. My wrist flicked and the dagger slashed through the girl's
throat. Her body froze for a split second, then the last of the life faded from her eyes and
her body dropped to the floor.
I turned my attention to the tray the girl had brought up with her. It was a good spread…
if she'd put it together herself she would have been an almost serious loss from my staff.
I shrugged. It wasn't like there was any less than an abundant supply of humans.
I picked up a biscuit from the tray and bit into it. The flavor of butter and sugar filled my
mouth. Delicious. I washed it down with a swig of wine. It was good wine, and sweet.
The aroma wafted up from the decanter to fill my nostrils. I put it back on the tray… that
was dessert wine, not a drink for the middle of a meal. Besides, I'd had enough alcohol to
last me a good while.
There was beer on the tray to drink during the meal—more alcohol—and a broiled
steak… medium rare. I picked up the knife and fork and cut a piece off of it. The meat
cut easily under the knife's edge. I put it in my mouth and chewed. It was good meat…
one of the best parts of this job was the food. I picked up a large covered mug and took a
swig of its contents. Coffee. Delicious really, but I needed food more than I needed
caffeine.
But I wasn't hungry. I hadn't exerted myself enough. I hadn't done anything but eat and
sleep and drink for the past few weeks. I touched my face. It felt like a skull. Maybe I
was handsome, but I could have been much more so if I'd taken care of myself…
No! What was I thinking? Why am I thinking like this? I can't! It's a sign of weakness! I
slammed my head against the crystal wall. I felt so stupid. Not at all like I was supposed
to think and feel. Not at all. I kept banging my head against the wall. Stupid stupid stupid.
I felt bruises forming on my head, and stopped banging my head against the wall to look
in the mirror. Purplish bruises were forming across my forehead. I shrugged and put my
helmet back on… it felt so much better that way. I felt myself breathing easier. You'd
think my helmet was addictive or something. Oh well.
Permission to speak, Master Golbez? Cagnazzo was back. Again.
"I don't really have a choice," I muttered. Permission granted. Report.
The Dark Knight Cecil Harvey has shown disloyalty to my operations. I believe he may
suspect me. I have sent him, accompanied by the Dragon Knight Cain to deliver the
Bomb Ring to Mist. They may be a threat to us, especially if they get past the dragon
guarding Mist, but they will either die or wipe out the Summoners.
Good. I assume that you have the Water Crystal.
You are correct in that assumption, Master Golbez. The fleet is being mobilized soon to
take the Fire Crystal from Damcyan, then the Wind Crystal of Fabul. We will save
Toroia's Earth Crystal for last, as the country is the best defended and the Red Wings will
need all of the experience they can get. Cagnazzo's voice sounded a bit stiff.
Stress getting to you, Cagnazzo? I asked him lightly.
Yes, sir. I am feeling stressed. A mental sigh touched me, then was retracted. It's
very tiring, working like this. I don't know how you manage it.
If you must know, it's easier on me, with all of these people to serve me. You're doing
very well, Cagnazzo. You should get some rest, you sound tired.
Thank you, sir. And he was gone.