I do not own Chaotic nor anything related to it. It belongs to TCDigital.

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The Dishonored Son

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"...and it seems to be true, Father," Iflar says. "The M'arrillians are scared. Many of them panicked when they saw us because they thought Osiris had come to take vengeance on them. Several immediately fell to the ground and started praying."

Mudeenu snorts. "Praying to a Human. Hah!"

Theb-sarr glares at Mudeenu, but continues speaking with Iflar. "Very interesting," he mutters. "Did any of them tell you why?"

"The M'arrillian I brought-"

Mudeenu growls. Theb-sarr sends another glare to shut him up.

Iflar repeats, "The M'arrillian I brought here says that the first creatures to fear Osiris were Aa'une and Phelphor. Something about Osiris, we don't know what, scares the living daylights out of them."

Theb-sarr turns to me. "Anything you wish to add to this, Osiris? Do you know why the M'arrillians are scared of you?"

My heart skips a beat. "I... won't answer that question."

Theb-sarr presses his eye ridges together. "Why not?"

Oh crap. "I... um..."

Enre-hep speaks up. "I know the reason." I feel my blood turn to ice.

Theb-sarr turns to the muge now. "And what can you tell me?"

Enre-hep smiles and says, "I can tell you that Aa'une and Phelphor have every legitimate reason to be afraid of His Highness."

A pause, then Theb-sarr speaks again. "So you're not going to tell me?"

Erne-hep nods. "I'm afraid that it would be inappropriate for any of us to know besides Osiris. The knowledge is, in fact, the very reason Aa'une and Phelphor fear Osiris."

Theb-sarr blinks. "I'm not understanding you, I'm afraid."

"What I'm suggesting," Enre-hep smirks as he leans forward a little in his seat, "is that we let the mysteries surrounding our friend remain mysteries. As long as they help us and hurt our enemies, we really shouldn't pry."

Theb-sarr is silent for a while. "Very well."

My heart stops trying to leap out of my throat. Mudeenu looks like he was just forced to swallow something very unpleasant. "Father, if-"

Theb-sarr raises his hand, and Mudeenu shuts up Theb-sarr turns back to Iflar and says, "So, what course of action do you suggest, given this information?"

Iflar stands up straight and clasps his hands behind his back. "I suggest we take advantage of this information. Prince Osiris should lead an army."

I knew Iflar was going to suggest that.

Mudeenu roars, "Now wait just a moment!"

Iflar and Theb-sarr turn their attention to Mudeenu.

Mudeenu stands up and points at me. "Him? Lead an army?"

Iiflar folds his arms in front of his chest. "I don't see why not."

"I do," Mudeenu hisses. "He keeps secrets from us. He helped release Phelphor. He let Phelphor open the Doors. Not to mention he spent ten solans with the M'arrillians. Who knows how much they twisted his mind?"

"Mudeenu," Theb-sarr says through clenched teeth.

Mudeenu doesn't seem to hear. He points a claw at my face. "This last solan he's been draining resources, sitting in the palace and doing absolutely nothing. This lazy, scheming, pitiful excuse for a creature shouldn't be anywhere near our armies."

"Mudeenu!" Theb-sarr roars.

"I'm not done!" Mudeenu roars back. He turns back to me. "Ever since the day you arrived in Perim, I knew you would be trouble. Nobody listens, though." He grits his teeth, and his hands clench into fists. "How does a wretch like you do what you've done? A king sees you the day you show up in Perim? Invited to sit with the royal family? Joining the royal family?" He grabs the front of my robe and growls, "Somehow, you're behind everything, and I won't let you manipulate us further-"

A sapphire-blue hand grabs Mudeenu's left shoulder, and another grabs a bunch of the fabric of his cape. The hand pulls.

RRRIP!

Mudeenu's eyes widen. He lets go of me and feels behind him. Then he slowly turns around.

Theb-sarr is standing at his full height. His eyes are shining white, and lightning is crackling from the glow. In his clenched hands is Mudeenu's torn cape. His muscles are twitching, and sparks of electricity dance across his scales with every twitch. His chest heaves and his nostrils flare.

"...Father?" Mudeenu says timidly.

Theb-sarr bares his teeth. "You are not my son," he growls. Then he flexes his arms and tears the cape in half.

Mudeenu stares in mute shock. Iflar looks frightened. Enre-hep is looking deliberately at the floor. I feel my heart racing again.

Theb-sarr bundles up the cape in his hands. "Osiris keeps secrets from me? Mudeenu, the night he arrived, you secretly tried to have him killed!" Theb-sarr tears the bundle in half again, then roars, "The only reason Maliph didn't succeed in carrying out your order was because Isis stopped him right outside Osiris's door!"

My heart races. Did I hear that correctly?

Theb-sarr tears the scraps of cloth again. "Osiris didn't willingly release Phelphor! In fact, Osiris was the one Phelphor had the most difficultly controlling! Osiris might have well prevented this whole war if you hadn't forced him to fight the M'arrillian alone!"

Mudeenu jaw trembles. "Father, I'm-"

"Do not call me Father!" Theb-sarr roars, and the room shakes along with his voice. "Ten years held captive by the M'arrillians! Tortured and raped and who knows what else, and you're the reason why it happened to him!" Theb-sarr shreds the cape to pieces, and the scraps of cloth burst into flames in his hands.

Mudeenu sinks to his knees. Tears are streaming down his face. "Fath- Y-Your Majesty..."

"Turn around, Mudeenu," Theb-sarr hisses. "Turn and face Osiris."

Mudeenu meekly stands and turns to face me. He looks terrified.

Theb-sarr growls, "Kneel to him."

"K-kneel?" Mudeenu stammer.

"Kneel!" Theb-sarr roars, and lightning crackles from his body. "Bow down and beg for forgiveness!"

Mudeenu chokes up, and he prostrates himself in front of me. He doesn't say anything. I can't say anything either.

Theb-sarr sits back down, and with a low voice he says, "Ten solans, Mudeenu. How will you repay it? I had let it slide before, what with Osiris's refusal to speak against you, but you have gone too far."

Mudeenu trembles. Iflar steps back. "Father, may I leave?" he asks shakily.

Theb-sarr nods. Iflar dashes for the door.

Theb-sarr turns back to Mudeenu. "Ten solans for ten solans would not be enough. Osiris was completely at Aa'une's mercy during that time. By all rights you should be at Osiris's mercy, but that is exactly it. Do you know what Osiris would give you if your punishment was up to him?"

I swallow the lump in my throat. Mudeenu doesn't say anything.

"Exactly that," Theb-sarr growls. "Mercy. He may have some form of punishment, but far lighter than you deserve. So I say this." He points at Mudeenu. "You owe Osiris ten solans of his life. You will repay him with seventy of your own, as a common servant."

Mudeenu's body twitches, but he says nothing.

Theb-sarr folds his arms. "We are done here. Iflar, you may come back in."

I don't see Iflar return. I don't hear them speak. All I can look at is the broken Mipedian in front of me.

"I-I'm sorry... P-Prince Osiris..." Mudeenu whispers.

I can't make myself answer him.

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Up next: The Efforts Combined

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Like I said before, Chaotic belongs to TCDigital.

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