Imakarum could not help worrying for Kenji's sake: with the information that Lord Fried'rich had provided to the Council, it was obvious that Kenji was very sick, or had been, at the very least. Zoalords were not meant to fall prey to the myriad illnesses that awaited careless and unwary humans—Zoalords were the most powerful beings in existence. They were not supposed to fall to the same weaknesses and frailties that those pitiful creatures were subject to.
Still, none of that changed the fact that Kenji had in fact been sick. Lord Fried'rich had given him permission to look in on his son, since he was not in the best position to be objective about the situation that had brought about the gathering of Chronos' Council of Twelve. He still could not believe that Kenji, of all people, was being accused of treason. Kenji was not a person who would be capable of such things: deception was simply against his nature.
Making his way to the private laboratory of Dr. Alfred Hekkaring, a man he had only heard rumors about up to this point, Imakarum considered what he would do once he arrived. Take Kenji to their room, of course – Kenji deserved to be comfortable after what he had been through – but there was still the matter of Hekkaring. The things he had heard about the man did not paint him in a particularly sympathetic light. He seemed to be serving Chronos out of a sense of personal curiosity rather than loyalty to Lord Alkanphel's cause, and that would not do. He would perhaps have to interview the man once he had gotten Kenji settled.
Continuing on his way to the laboratory, following the psychic trail of his sleeping son, Imakarum smiled. Soon they would be reunited and able to rest. Soon Kenji's name would be cleared and things could go back to the way they had always been.
-Masaki, I will keep you informed of what transpires while my Council is in session.-
-Thank you, Lord Alkanphel.-
-Know that I will not allow anything to harm the youngest of my children,- Lord Alkanphel said.
-I am very grateful for that, my Lord. Still… do you think that would be wise?- Even as much as he hated the idea of Kenji being responsible for… the actions he had been accused of, if he was indeed capable of such a thing, it would not be in the best interests of Chronos to… keep him.
-I will not see any of my children harmed, Masaki,- Lord Alkanphel said firmly. -Even if Kenji is responsible, there are ways of ensuring that he won't act up in the future.-
-I will await further news, then, my Lord.-
-I'm pleased to hear that, Masaki.-
He would never suggest such a thing to his Lord, but if Kenji was responsible for what had happened to Lord Luggnagg – as much as he hated to even consider the idea – Imakarum knew he would have to… deal with the boy. He could not allow anything, even one of his own flesh and blood, to threaten Lord Alkanphel or his plans for the world.
But Kenji couldn't possibly be comfortable in one of those hospital-style beds the scientists were known for using. He himself had spent enough time in those beds when Lord Alkanphel and Lord Hamilcal had been inducting him into the ranks of Chronos' Zoalords to know how uncomfortable they were. When he finally came upon his son sleeping in one of those paltry hospital beds, Imakarum gently picked him up and carried him back to their room. His son would be much happier curled up in their warm, luxurious bed than in this thing. Holding the boy close, Imakarum kissed his forehead.
Kenji might have been the one who had attacked Lord Luggnagg – as much as he hated to consider the possibility of such a thing – but for the moment, he would enjoy the company of his son.
XxXxX
The penalty for the murder of another Zoalord would have been execution for any lesser Zoaform, but this was a completely unprecedented situation. Not only was the murderer a Zoalord himself, he was also clearly favored by Supreme Overlord Alkanphel—he was the son of Imakarum Mirabilis, himself clearly the favored child of the Supreme Overlord.
It was an odd situation, which was precisely why all of the Lords of Chronos – with the obvious exception of Imakarum Mirabilis – had gathered in the Celestial Hall to decide the fate of Chronos' youngest Zoalord.
"I say the boy should be executed immediately," Kaburaal Khan snapped, clearly struggling to control himself.
Alkanphel merely looked at him, and he fell silent. "I will not have one of my children harmed impetuously." His slitted golden gaze snapped to Jearvill, raking him with annoyance that bordered on accusation. "Kenji must have had reasons for acting as he did. Make no mistake, Jearvill, I will find them out."
"We will, of course, abide by your wishes, Lord Alkanphel," Dr. Balkus said, effectively ending the discussion.
All that remained now was to get the full story.
XxXxX
Kenji was sleeping. Imakarum personally doubted that his son would ever be allowed to wake up. There could be only one punishment for the murder of a Zoalord, the murder of one of Lord Alkanphel's grand Council. Imakarum was determined to at least carry out the sentence himself. He even knew exactly how he was going to do it: his connection to Kenji's mind and brain would give him full control over his son's physical functions.
It would be… not simple; none of this could ever possibly be simple, but rather uncomplicated to… slow the boy's heartbeat to the point where he would… no longer be alive. It was Imakarum's duty as a father, he knew, to ensure that his son's passing would be as painless as possible. He would carry the memory of his son, even when Kenji joined Miaka in whatever peaceful afterlife awaited the two of them.
Leaning against the crown of Kenji's skull, Imakarum tried in vain to stifle the tears running down his cheeks. While it was true that his son had betrayed Chronos – attacking and killing one of Lord Alkanphel's loyal Zoalords – Kenji was still his little boy. In so many ways, however, that made the betrayal all the worse, and, more than anything, that made it his duty to pass sentence on him. He… he would have to kill his son.
When he sensed Lord Alkanphel coming, and more than that when he realized that Chronos' Supreme Overlord was not alone, Imakarum wiped the tears from his eyes, put Kenji into a trance-like sleep so that he would not be able to attack either of the Zoalords, and stood at attention to greet his Overlord and his fellow Lord.
"Relax, Masaki," Lord Alkanphel said, as he led Lord Hamilcal into Imakarum's room. "We are not here to harm your son. Hamilcal and I merely want to find out just why Kenji acted as he did."
"Of course, Lord Alkanphel," he said, bowing.
It would not likely be long until he was required to carry out sentence on the boy, Imakarum knew, but he was grateful to Lord Alkanphel for his consideration.