CHAPTER 2: Despair
It was a peaceful night in Leljimba. There was not a cloud in the sky, the moon was in full view and the stars shone like priceless diamonds. However to Emperor Jillius, this moonlit serenity served as a mockery to him. For the past couple weeks, Jillius has been suffering from chronic insomnia. He was not able to sleep, nor was he ever able to feel relaxed enough to close his eyes. He was ill. Very ill. His Minister, Bagoo, has been making sure that Jillius is of a healthy enough condition to remain as Emperor. He was able to use his magic to help Jillius keep his energy up and his strength mostly intact. However, that was all he could do. He was unable to help Jillius sleep as his magic wasn't strong enough to cure chronic illnesses yet.
However this night was different. Something was bugging Jillius, more so than usual. He was aware that his lack of sleep caused him to become cranky and irritable. As a result, alot of miniscule things bothered Jillius more than they probably should've. But something was different this time. It wasn't bothering him out of frustration, it was out of concern.
"Bagoo!" The Emperor called.
"Yes, my liege?" Bagoo appeared quicker than Jillius was expecting, slightly startling him.
Bagoo was always there by the Emperor's side, not only to help manage Jillius' health, but also to help him make decisions and to talk about whatever was bothering Jillius. The two knew each other as far back as Jillius could remember, he knew that Bagoo was someone he could rely on.
"That Prince, how did you know who he was?" Jillius questioned.
"Simple" Bagoo replied, "My Crystal Eye allows me to see within a person's memories and dreams. If they've thought about it, I can see it."
"I see, so you know that his explanation for being in my Empire was all a fabrication."
"Correct. Like you said, these false memories can muddle with one's mind, making them believe things that were but mere fabrications. It is why dreams must not be allowed in your Empire my liege."
"I see…" Jillius said in response. He still stands by his decision to outlaw dreaming, but something about the Prince was on his mind.
"That boy. Something seems off about him. He definitely didn't look like any ordinary citizen of his Kingdom. Was throwing him in the dungeon the best idea? Maybe I should've reaso-"
"GHAAAAAAH!"
Suddenly Jillius' internal pondering was interrupted by a headache. A painful one. It felt like his brain was tearing itself apart. He collapsed to his knees and clutched his temple with his hands. It was unbearable.
"Emperor Jillius!" Bagoo yelled in panic. As he rushed to Jillius' aid and pressed his hand onto the Emperor's forehead. His crystal eye started to glow and a green light emitted from the Minister's palm. Jillius' cries of anguish slowly started to die down as the headache subsided.
"Sire are you alright?" Bagoo asked, concerned.
Although his headache was gone, the pain made Jillius feel sick to his stomach as he was still gasping for air.
"I'll….I'll be alright Bagoo." He said once he caught his breath. "Thank you."
Bagoo smiled warmly at the Emperor, "My life is but to aid you my liege. I suggest you head back to your chambers. Although you cannot sleep, I still suggest you get some water and lie in bed so that your body can have time to rest."
"I.." Jillius tried to remember what he was thinking about before the headache. But his mind was drawing a blank, he couldn't remember anything.
"Very well" He said as he picked himself back up off the ground and headed towards his bedroom, one hand still holding his stomach.
Bagoo waited and watched until the Emperor was no longer in his sights, his friendly expression morphing into a devilish scowl.
"That old coot!" He thought to himself, "That was too close."
He would've gone further, but his thoughts were interrupted once he realised how dark it was. With that, Bagoo decided to head back to his chambers. He had work to do. Important work.
Bagoo could not sleep. Not because he was unable to, but because he couldn't stop pacing back and forth in his nightgown, thinking to himself. His magic was getting weaker and Jillius' illness was growing stronger. It was only a matter of time until it would stop working entirely, and that meant trouble. Unlike Jillius' bedroom, which was located high in the castle, Bagoo's room was located underground. He was given the option to have a room higher up the castle by Jillius, but he liked the seclusion and privacy of his chambers. If his room was too close to Jillius, his plans were more likely to be discovered and his cover would be blown.
Bagoo was not the man everyone thought he was. It was debatable if he was even of flesh and blood.
From the outside, he always appeared to be the strict right-hand man of Jillius, who, despite his cold demeanour, truly cared for his Emperor's health and overall wellbeing. In reality, Bagoo was a sick, twisted being who preyed on suffering and misery. Whilst others fell into the neverending pit of emptiness, Bagoo revelled in it. He revelled in despair as it's one true king. He had his sights set on conquering Jillius' Empire for a while now. In secret, Bagoo had been corrupting innocent citizens of the many kingdoms of the Empire, turning them into grotesque monsters under his command. Soon he would be able to overthrow Jillius and rule with his army of beasts. However, time was slowly, but surely, running out. His brainwashing would only last so long until Jillius would be able to break out of it and unfurl his plans. He can only keep him in line for so long. He had to act fast.
Bagoo was well aware of the Dream Traveller Klonoa, as well as his powerful and unique abilities. He knew that, despite their appearance, Klonoa would heavily disrupt his plans if given the chance. Bagoo had to bring him here so that he could either send his monsters after him whilst he worked from the shadows, or kill the Dream Traveller himself. The latter would prove difficult considering Bagoo, despite having brainwashed the Emperor, still isn't in power yet. He would usually be able to grab Klonoa through their dreams and drag them into Jillius' world, but the Dream Traveller's power was too strong. It was almost like something was blocking his access to Klonoa's dreams. Bagoo could not directly grab them through their own dreams like he could with the Phantomilian Prince, who he unintentionally transported here by complete accident. He mistook Huepow's dream for Klonoa's, which was why Huepow was the one arrested and not Klonoa. His pacing grew more erratic as he racked his brain, trying to find a way to reach Klonoa and kick his plan into motion.
And then an idea struck him like a bolt of lightning. It was a gamble, but if he played his cards right, he could have Klonoa here by morning. Bagoo let out a confident and wicked chuckle as he summoned his crystal eye from its pedestal by his bedside and exited his lair.
"I think it's time to pay our prisoner a little visit…"
To say Huepow's cell conditions were not up to standard would be putting it nicely. The bed was cold and hard as rock, the walls were dank and grimey and the ceiling had a leak. Huepow wasn't even sure if what was leaking was even water or not, but either way he was uncomfortable. But he knew that he had to keep going for the sake of his mother, his kingdom and his future.
Huepow's cell was being watched by two guards so that he couldn't escape. Huepow tried to talk with them throughout the day, but they wouldn't listen. Huepow then heard footsteps heading towards his cell. It was Bagoo, who dismissed the guards and asked them to leave the two be. The guards promptly left without a word. It was now just him and Huepow.
"Comfortable, are we?" Bagoo remarked in a passive aggressive tone.
Huepow didn't have it in him to say some kind of witty comeback, all he could do was scowl back at him.
"What do you want?" Huepow snapped at Bagoo, "Here to taunt me? Give me my sentence? What!?"
Huepow knew that his plea of innocence would only incriminate him further in the Minister's eyes.
"Don't raise your voice at me boy!" Bagoo snapped back, "You're only alive because our glorious Emperor will be your judge. If it was up to me, you'd be dead by yesterday!"
Huepow didn't flinch, nor did he avert his glare.
"You didn't answer my question."
Bagoo started to look irritated. "I'm here to let you know that your fate will be decided tomorrow morning. Make of that what you will."
"Yeah I figured," Huepow said in a sarcastic tone. "Does it make you feel better about yourself? Reminding people about their past, present or future?"
Bagoo knew the answer to that question, but he knew better than to give Huepow the reaction he wanted.
"You think you can get under my skin so easily? You may have been able to manipulate that meek-minded Dream Traveller, but you're going to have to try a wee bit harder to get through my mental barricades. You are nothing but a coward, boy. A meek little child who thought he could play God with the ones below him. Utterly pathetic." Bagoo had to stop himself before he got too carried away, even if he enjoyed watching the Prince slowly grow more and more agitated with every insult.
"Ghagh-?"
Suddenly Huepow grabbed the Minister by the neck of his gown and yanked him towards the bars, causing Bagoo to hit his nose on the cold iron. His face was red, his teeth clenched and his eyes were that of pure fury. He looked like he wanted to kill Bagoo where he stood.
"Little BRAT! Know your place!"
Bagoo quickly raised his crystal eye, which emitted a bright blast of energy, knocking Huepow away and causing him to hit his back against the wall of his cell. Both were gasping for air, blood dripping from Bagoo's nose. The pain was irritating, but the payoff was worth it.
Huepow could feel his blood boiling at that point. He felt like knocking the prison walls down and strangling the life of his tormentor. He had already been struggling to live with his mistakes, he didn't need a snarky Minister to rub it in his face.
But then he remembered the dream he had the night before.
"I HATE YOU!"
Hearing those words on loop in Huepow's head caused his anger to turn into sadness as he looked down in defeat.
Bagoo noticed the boy start to quietly weep. Although, internally, the Minister was enjoying watching him be thrown through immense turmoil and despair of his own making, he knew that in order to get what he wanted, he had to play 'nice'. Whether he liked it or not, he needed Huepow to help him fulfil his plans. And so, he wiped his nose and put on a warmer expression.
"Y'know kid, it is unlikely that you will ever see the light of day again since you broke the 'Sacred Law'. So how about you listen to what I have to say? I think you might be interested in what I have to offer you."
Huepow lifted his head up. Whilst he was distrustful of Bagoo, he was willing to hear what he had to say out of curiosity.
Bagoo continued, "Serve your sentence with dignity and don't put up a fight, and in return I will help you reach out to him. I am sure that you would want to say some things to him before you are sentenced. You won't get another chance like this. I can make it happen."
Huepow was intrigued, but still doubtful.
"How do I know this isn't some sort of trick? What are you planning?"
"Kid, what would I have to gain from this?" Bagoo responded, "I know what it is like to repress your emotions. It eats you alive from the inside and throws you into a never ending pit of despair. It is not a pretty thing to feel. I am doing you a favour here."
"Wait, what about my family? Are they going to be ok?" Huepow spoke out of concern.
"Once your sentence is carried out, your family back in Phantomile will be informed. With good behaviour, they will be allowed to visit you every now and then."
Bagoo holds his hand out.
"So do we have a deal, boy?"
Although Huepow was still wary of what trickery the Minister could have up his sleeve, he wondered if he'll ever get another chance like this. Another chance to patch things up with Klonoa. Even if it means he must spend his life behind bars, even if Klonoa doesn't forgive him, he felt like he could sleep better at night knowing that he seized this opportunity. He was nervous, but desperate at the same time.
Huepow shakes Bagoo's hand.
"Deal!" The boy said in a somewhat shaky, yet determined tone.
"A wise decision young Prince. Follow me to my chambers. We have work to do!"
TO BE CONCLUDED IN CHAPTER 3: RESPONSIBILITIES
