THE NIGHTMARE - FACET X
"Then, finally, I want you to be my representative at the upcoming Reverie. To announce my intentions to the world!"
"I see…" King Cello had to restrain himself from chewing his lip! Years of politics had taught him to always wear a mask. To face adversity with dignity… But he could already feel the vein pulsing beneath his top-hat!
Rachet, or rather Dr. Rachet, as he seemed to fancy himself nowadays, was acting like an utter blowhard! He sat there, across the table, wearing little more than a set overalls and a scarf and dared make demands of him!? Had Roba taught him nothing!? Had his father, a very old friend of his, taught him nothing!?
Cello looked over the first page of the document again. Oh, he was VERY well aware of Rachet's threat. Forcing the Shimagame to move and cause tsunami sized waves was a death sentence to most islands. Cello counted his blessings that Rachet hadn't simply drowned out Maruchi and raided his kingdom! Rachet was smart enough to recognize the value of their agricultural economy. And it seemed he recognized their prior relationship with Mecha Island.
But the boy was an idiot if he thought he could continue this way indefinitely! Cello had seen the might of the World Government! The prowess of the Navy! If Rachet continued on his crusade, he would be endangering both himself and the lives of his citizens! …And that was not a thought he wanted to entertain. Especially if Admiral Akainu became involved.
"Should I give you time to review my ultimatum? I'm aware that such decisions should be considered judiciously, before putting into action." Rachet, with his yellow tinted glasses, rested his chin upon his knuckles, smirking at the elder monarch.
King Cello placed the leaf of paper onto the pamphlet. "That would be most gracious, Doctor Rachet. You will have my answer on the morrow. If there was anything else…?"
"No. That should be good for today." Rachet dusted off his shoulder strap and stood up out of his chair. "King Cello, I wish you a pleasant day, and look forward to our continued cooperation."
"Yes, indeed…" Cello picked up his bell and rung it to signal the servants outside. He watched as the doors opened and Rachet and his bodyguard exit his office.
Cal, his hunchbacked butler, stood in the doorway as the dignitaries left, "Shall I send for the kitchens, sire? For your midday meal."
Kello Cello shook his head, "No. No thank you, Cal. I shall take my luncheon later. Please summon Commander Bellos. I was told there was a development regarding our other recent guest, last night."
The half-bald hunchback bowed, "As you command, your majesty," then left, closing the doors behind him.
Cello removed his hat and monocle, took a deep breath, and then sighed! He placed the palms of his hands onto his eye sockets, head tilting back, as he breathed and organized his thoughts.
The amount of pressure he was feeling was immeasurable! The amount of problems and threats were piling up before him and Cello didn't have a good solutions to counteract them!
Firstly, the issue with his age. Cello had been ruling this nation for almost 40 years now. He liked to think his reign had been prosperous despite the radical times. However, Cello would have liked nothing more than to retire to his family estate on the eastern side of Kisiri. He always liked the snow, and he promised himself that he would finally take up that hobby of candle making when he finally abdicated.
However, that brought up issue number two. His need for an heir.
Cello had desperately wanted Solona to take up the crown and rule as duchess-regent. His infertility had always been a sticking point with the nobles, and honestly he had absolutely no interest in sex. He loved his brother, and adored Solona as a child. Cello still remembered that little girl riding on her rocking horse as she held her rattle high! He would have liked nothing more than to have the kingdom declared Solona queen.
However, her niece had been avoiding court and palace for years. Ever since her parents had died… He suspected it had to do something with the death of her parents, but he could never get an answer out of her. And the clues as to how it happened never made sense! They had been killed in an explosion. No reports, or an line of investigation, has indicated any gunpowder, explosives, or Devil Fruit users being near the mansion!
So, he ignored all the demands and whispers to name someone else as heir to the throne. He had been adamant about it! Yet, now Solona suddenly wanted the crown and have him dead!? Cello didn't know what to think! He even sent an goddamned pirate to go searching for her, and find that little cult she was associating with!
The Children of Nightmare… Cello rubbed his eyes again. He normally wasn't one for religion. Faith required you to believe in the impossible, yet never see it. And he had seen the impossible… and many things in the Grand Line achieved that level of incredibility. Cello didn't know if powers from above, bellow, or beyond were watching over them. But if their so-called god was real, he shuddered at the thought.
…Then, there was the Government Mandate. Less than a week before "Fire Fist," Ace's execution. Cello wasn't even sure why the Navy was even making such a big show of it! Reports indicate that he was a Division Commander for Whitebeard, but that didn't justify a global display for the death of one pirate! Then there was Whitebeard himself to consider… That execution was going to turn into a spectacle, if he lived long enough to see it!
Rachet's ultimatum only served to compound the migraine he was having…
He was going to need a plan. Prioritize his goals, and plot back ups, if his own machinations failed. That may even have to include reviewing his own will…
There was a knock on the door, snapping him out of his thoughts. Cello then put his hat and monocle back on and called, "Come in."
The doors opened and Bellos stepped through them with a dramatic flair King Cello had grown used too with the commander. Behind him, four of his subordinates marched forward in standard garb, escorting two men Cello did not recognize. They were chained, shackled, and somehow had similar skin and hair colours, even with their apparent age difference. Nor did they look related.
Upon further inspection Cello deduced these two were the allies Mr. Trevelyan had recruited in his reports. Why the mage wasn't with them though, was the mystery.
"Your Majesty," Commander Bellos announced, "I present these two criminals for your judgement. Their crimes: The interference with an ongoing investigation prioritizes by your majesty, multiple charges of assaults upon his majesty's soldiers, and the association with piracy."
"Those are trumped up charges and you know it, you bloody pigeon!" The elder, Schneider, barked at Bellos.
"Silence!" the captain barked back. "Furthermore, with the disappearance of one Maxwell Phillium Daylen Trevelyan, also known as the 'Magister,' first-mage to the Straw-Hat crew, we must assume he has either broken contact with his majesty's company or presumed dead."
Saga seemed to scoff at the guard captain, but gave no further retort.
"Interesting…" King Cello said, crossing his fingers. "Commander, if I may, what led up to the arrest of these gentlemen?"
Bellos cleared his throat before speaking, "Your Majesty, approximately 8:00 in the afternoon, yesterday evening, your majesty's forces received an anonymous tip regarding the whereabouts of your niece, Duchess Solona Helsing."
"Taking it upon myself to lead the raid, we came upon the Second Dock Lounge and announced our intentions. However, as the lounge was a den of criminals and debauchery we were confronted to use force against them. Including Maxwell Trevelyan and his compatriots, here." Bellos gestured toward Saga and Schneider, who stood in their bindings glaring at him.
"Unfortunately, in the chaos, both Ms. Helsing and the Magister escaped. Whether Trevelyan joined, chased, or was felled by Ms. Helsing, we are not sure... However," Bellos began to pace the room keeping Cello's eyes upon him, "—it is no coincidence that the Magister came upon the same location as we did. He must have used spirits or some other kinds of magics to spy upon your majesty's guard, and tried to preform the raid earlier then. A miserable attempt to try and curry favour upon your highness."
"Oh are you—!?" "What a load of crap…!" Both prisoners scoffed at the captain's proposition. That wasn't how they found Helsing at that club!
"As such, I propose that we create a posse to find Maxwell P.D. Trevelyan and bring whatever crimes he has committed to justice. I only pray we find him in alive to answer these charges. If not, I would authorize lethal force should he resist."
"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU—!? ARGH!" Outside the doors, the sounds of shuffling feet! crackling ice, and animalistic snarls reverberated around the office. Bellos and his men suddenly became alert and faced to doors, prepared to defend the king. Though, through Cello's narrowed eyes, the king suddenly found his captain of the guard nervous.
There was a knock at the door. "Hello? Your Majesty? This is Maxwell. May I come in?" That voice undoubtedly belonged to Maxwell, the Magister, Trevelyan, whom they were just speaking about.
His guards held their halberds pointed at the door, however, King Cello only lightly chuckled. "Well, there appears to be no need for a posse, Commander." Cello then looked towards the door, "Come in!"
The right door opened and in stepped the mage, prosthetic hand on the door handle. "Your Majesty," Maxwell greeted with a nod.
What was peculiar though, was that he had two animals with him. A wrinkly and stout hound with a cap and goggles on its head. And Karasu—! Tucked under the mage's arm, and with multiple bandages wrapped around him.
"Buzz!" Schneider dropped to his knees as the dog eager bound up to his master. The guards made no move to stop either of them, too engrossed wth the sight of the mage. "Haha! Did Maxwell find you then? Good dog!" Schneider petted Buzz, even with his cuffed wrists, the hound eager drank in the attention.
"You're going to need to train your men better, Captain." Maxwell addressed Bellos who visibly shook at the sight of him. "Unfortunate though it is, your men barely got in my way." Behind him, Bellos could see the boulder sized globe of ice encasing one of his soldiers in it.
"You miserable cur!" Bellos snarled at the mage. "You dare assault this palace, fragrantly disregard the laws of this kingdom, and think you can flippantly joke about it!? I'll have your head, pirate!" Bellos draws his saber and points it at Maxwell.
"'Flippant,' huh?" Maxwell's eyes zipped around, observing the Commander, his blade, and his men. "Then should I consider Karasu here my hostage then?" he hefted the seabird, "And after I oh so sincerely wanted to deliver him to his majesty after finding him injured outside the castle. Is that a joke to you, captain?"
King Cello intervened before Bellos could offer a retort, "I did find it odd that Karasu wasn't at his roost this morning. The injuries would explain it. Though given his importance, why haven't you tried to heal him yet, Mr. Maxwell?"
"You think me a medicine man?" Maxwell raised an eyebrow. "Honestly, I would, your majesty. But I only treated him so far as to present him as evidence to you."
"Evidence? For what?" King Cello tilted his head.
"Why, your captain's fragrant disregard for the laws in your kingdom, of course." Maxwell smiled, a cheeky yet satisfied grin. Like a man who had gone fishing and caught a prize sized specimen for his meal and mantle.
"YOU—!" "I will hear what you have to say."
Bellos was absolutely livid at Maxwell's accusation. He was a lord, and Maxwell was a peasant, as far as he was concerned. Trevelyan should have had no say in what went on in the Creamy Mist Archipelago! Yet, King Cello wanted the Magister's opinion!?
"Your majesty, I most protest—!"
"That what?" King Cello' eyes slid over, piercing Bellos' gaze, "That I do not see whatever dirty laundry you have created for yourself, throughout the course of your career, Bellos? That I do not hear whatever this foreigner, whom I have hired, has to say? I am aware of your loyalty Commander, but your zealotry and privilege leaves much to be desired."
"Zealotry!?" Bellos leaned back as if he had been slapped across the face.
"Stand down," Cello ordered his men. "And Bellos, put away your sword, for goodness sake. Gentlemen, if you want to observe this proceeding, I suggest walking over to the wall." The king gestured over with his right hand, addressing both his soldiers and the men in chains.
"Oh, this ought to be good…" Schneider grinned, gladly accepting the invitation to observe, even if he was still in cuffs. Saga only stared, calculating how this could go. Yet, he walked over to the wall and leaned back against it, trying to get comfortable.
"Good." King Cello nodded, "Now, Mr. Maxwell, would you be so kind as to present your evidence of our Commander's supposed ill found gains? I would really like to know as to how you came to this conclusion." Cello's voice rand like steel. Despite the chipper tone, his words clearly suggested Maxwell better have a damn good reason for this interruption. "And please put down Karasu on the desk."
"Of course," Maxwell complied, placing the domesticated messenger on the table. King Cello got a better look at Karasu's injuries. Both of his wings were bandaged. Splints held along the bones of each wing. Karasu's leg feathers were also wrapped around his left leg, and slung onto his neck. Cello was also able to make out a small fleck of blood, soaked into the bandages. From what though, he could not say.
Maxwell clapped his hands together, "Now, my evidence. To clarify my innocence first, your Majesty, in our agreement, we agreed that I would send reports twice a day describing my progress into the Helsing-Nightmare situation, correct?"
"That was in our agreement..." King Cello frowned, already not liking how this was going.
"Did you receive my report, yesterday evening, Cello?"
"It's King Cello to you! Pirate!" Bellos spat at the mage.
"No… No I did not," the king frankly admitted.
"Hm…" Maxwell nodded as if expecting that answer, "Unfortunate then. You see…" Maxwell reached into his robe flap and produced a role of paper. A letter, with it's wax seal broken. "This was the report I wrote up last night, for your a majesty's eyes only. It details all of my—and my companions, findings during the course of yesterday's events." Maxwell gestured over to Saga, Buzz, and Schneider as he presented the letter.
King Cello deftly took the report from the mage's hand, and quickly scried over the letter. He recognized the handwriting, the special wax Karasu carried around in his bag, and read the letter's contents. Completing a Treasure Wars challenge. Visiting Eight-Legged Shipping Company—An attack by the Cult of Nightmare!?
"…Commander Bellos. Was there an attack on Eight-Legged Shipping Co., yesterday?"
"Y-Your Majesty, the investigation surrounding Sir Darrian Lytton was still on-going—"
"HA!" Schneider blurted out a mocking laugh, "Puh-lease! You were rabbid dog on a blood trail as soon as you saw no-beard here yesterday!" Maxwell still facepalmed at that jab at his facial hair. Those comments were getting old!
"The assailants were all in robes and there was blood all over the office," Saga offered his two-cents, "in particularly unnatural patterns, mind you."
"Silence! You—!"
"We can all discuss, at length, of what happened at the shipping yards later." Maxwell grabbed the attention of the room like a well-thought business man. "I'm still presenting my evidence, after all..."
King Cello put down the letter, "Continue."
"Now, while you may no doubt recognize the wax Karasu carries to authenticate my letter, you probably still doubt my own integrity as to report's date. For that, I simply have to ask three beings, in this room, one simple question…" Maxwell turned towards his compatriots and looked at Saga.
"Saga. Did you see me give my report to Karasu, yesterday evening?"
"Yes," the swordsman replied.
"What—!?" Bellos looked incredulously between Maxwell and Saga as the mage kept talking.
"Schneider. Did you see me give my report to Karasu, yesterday evening?"
"Sure did," the old pirate grinned.
"But—!"
"Karasu. Did I give my report to you, yesterday evening?"
*SQUAWK.* Even the seagull nodded.
"—NOW HOLD ON JUST A MINUTE!" Bellos loudly interrupted.
He pointed a finger at Maxwell and the other outlaws in the room. "I understand questioning these two, to collude in your little scheme here, Magister! But do you really believe for us to take the testament of an animal in order to verify your story!?"
Maxwell raised an eyebrow with an amused straight face, "Commander Bellos, I don't know what you've observed throughout you lifetime, but I've encountered various fauna with surprising amounts of intelligence. Even when my personal knowledge should suggest otherwise. Karasu is just one such special bird, isn't he your Majesty?"
"He is," King Cello agreed, frostily. Karasu had been his companion and messenger for almost twenty years now. If he doubted Karasu's intelligence and personality, it certainly wouldn't be now! And he wasn't amused at having him dismissed like that.
Cello looked over at his Commander of Civilian Forces with a suspicious glance before asking, "Karasu, did Maxwell Trevelyan present to you both his reports, for the morning and afternoon sessions, yesterday?"
*Squawk!* The seabird once again nodded his head, looking at his owner.
King Cello then held up the letter. "Is this the afternoon report he presented to you yesterday?"
Karasu looked over the contents. *Squawk.* Then nodded again.
Cello's face suddenly became serious, "Then how did you come to be in possession of your own report again, Mr. Maxwell?"
Maxwell sighed, feigning regret, "Now, you see, this is the part that may piss you off. After I found Karasu this morning, I personally raided the guard house beside the palace and searched Bellos' office."
"YOU DID WHAT!?" Both men yelled in surprise. Though, Bellos' voice held significantly more outrage.
Maxwell smirked, "I found my report in that safe you had hidden behind the painting of King Cello. Don't worry, I didn't steal anything of value inside your precious cubbyhole… Though I did find quite a few letters," Maxwell then produced a packet of letters, each of varying size and age, "—most of them with the royal seal stamped and wax broken. Almost similar to mine… You're going to need a new safe by the way." Bellos just stood there, too shocked to act out any form of outcry.
King Cello just gave Maxwell a look, which immediately made him school his features. Maxwell was taking great satisfaction in humiliating the commander. He found that deconstructing your opponent was much more gratifying than to simply lashing out. However, Maxwell still had to wrap up his statement.
The mage cleared his throat, "Since I did not have the support of the local guard—Bellos has made his stance on my presence abundantly clear on that, I can only conclude that Sir Bellos, or someone under his influence, intercepted Karasu and my report. He then decided to act upon the intel without any intention of colluding on or cooperating with me and my compatriots."
Maxwell then eyed the guard standing along the wall, "I also seem recall the hostility of your own men, Commander Bellos, as you barged into the club last night. One of them even mentioned me by name. That seems like someone remarkably well informed for supposed ignorance to my presence last night."
"Would it be safe to say you were hoping to compete with me, Bellos?" Maxwell gave the soldier a mocking glare. "Sabotage me? Take the credit for Helsing's capture while simultaneously getting rid of me, Commander?"
"Enough! You've made your point, Trevelyan." King Cello commanded. Maxwell bowed and stepped back, allowing the king to look over the letters in tense silence. Cello frequently looked up from his hands to glance at his guard captain, each stare growing more and more furious.
When he read the last letter, he gently folded the paper down and clasped his hands in terse poise, "…Commander Bellos. Some of these letters are written in my own hand. Letters, that held sensitive information, or were private…!" King Cello voice rose with barely contained fury, he temper reaching a boiling point.
"Commander," he said, with frosty vindication. "Have you secretly been interfering in Royal affairs, without my consent?"
Bellos said nothing. His form being as still as a rigid statue…
"ANSWER ME!" King Cello's voice roared like the sudden crack of thunder! Everyone in the room flinched as they heard the regal wrath with which he commanded. Buzz hid behind Schneider, and even Karasu jumped a bit on the desk.
"…Everything I do, is for the sake of his Majesty and the safety of the Creamy Mist Archipelago…" Bellos answered slowly, his head bowed in shame.
"Not good enough, Commander!" King Cello snarled at the soldier. However, before he could go on upon a triad, the King took a breath. Breathing in his nose to restrain his indignant fury. These letters, there was no possible way that they were a forgery. Some of their contents pertained to matters that should have been handled more smoothly, had they not been apparently intercepted. Each letter reminded Cello of every domestic issue they were involved in. And in every matter, Commander Bellos had been instrumental in their success!
"You are dismissed, Mr. Bellos." Cello finally spoke, expressing his immense displeasure with Bellos. "You will be summoned again later, this evening. To explain your actions and why you had these letters! You are LUCKY that I don't have you arrested, here and now!"
Bellos turned to his king and bowed, "Your Majesty—"
"GO!" Cello pointed at the door, intolerant to whatever words Bellos had in his mouth. The commander quickly left, like a dog with its tail tucked between his legs.
"Guards!" The soldiers straightened at their King's shout. "Release the prisoners."
"But sir—" One guard tried to speak up.
"Do it! Or I'll have you thrown in the stocks as punishment!" The guard with the key ring than quickly fumbled with the keys, unlocking Saga and Schneider's cuffs on their wrists and ankles.
"Well, that feels a lot better!" Schneider rubbed his wrists, feeling his skin free of the irons. Saga didn't speak. He only readjusted the sleeves of his robe stood.
"See to it that their possessions are returned. Dismissed!" Cello rang the bell. The doors opened and the guards started escorting Maxwell's companions back to the barracks for their weapons and money. Maxwell moved to follow them, but froze as the king blurted out, "Not you, Magister! You and I are not done yet…!"
Saga and Schneider look back at Maxwell, each showing a measure of concern. Maxwell waves them off, giving them a reassuring smile, even if he doesn't feel it himself. The door closes with a resounding boom, and now it is only Maxwell and Cello in the room.
…
…
…
Maxwell stump started to itch. The silence between the two of them was nerve wracking.
"Are you happy, Mr. Maxwell?"
Those were the first words out of the king's mouth.
Maxwell blinked at the question. Was he happy?
"Not only have you managed to lose my niece, you have forced me to dismiss my Commander of Civil Forces. Through which, another investigation will have to be conducted, examining Bellos' activities and possible motives for treason. All in order too… what? Drive me mad? Display your dominance? Or were you simply petty enough to discredit Bellos over a minor disagreement?"
Maxwell frowned at that, "I wouldn't exactly call his hostility, minor—"
"Do you have any idea what you just cost me!" King Cello stood up straight out of his desk, his chair screeching as it dragged against the floor. "Bellos' behaviour may have been questionable, but was a reliable commander for Maruchi's defences! Do you have any idea what sort of hell could be unleashed onto this island, without a proper command structure!? My kingdom is under threat, both by forces foreign and domestic!"
"So, Magister," Cello came out from behind his desk and walked straight up to Maxwell, "you better hope you find a good excuse that could help me forgive your transgressions! Or you may as well forget about leaving the Creamy Mist Archipelago!"
Maxwell's face was stoic like stone, staring down the king. When he was an apprentice, Maxwell would have either lashed out or be cowed by such and authoritative figure. He remembered writing out the Chant of Light as a boy. Writing line after line as a form of punishment. Sister Zadeia had that same cold logical anger that Cello was displaying now.
But Maxwell was no longer an apprentice, or even a boy. And no Templars were here to keep him at bay. He was a mage now, and a pirate. A man! One that knew how to control his temper, and how to weather others in face of adversity.
"King Cello," Maxwell stated clearly. "I will not apologize for my actions towards your commander. If he truly had your majesty's intentions in his heart, he would have not have gone behind your back like he has." Cello's nostrils flared as he glared at the mage
"However," Maxwell nodded like his head like he was acknowledging something, "I will request you show him leniency. Because of Bellos' actions, I was able to capture a thrall of the Children of Nightmare. And. Extract. Information." Maxwell let those words settle in for a moment. Expressing, the gravity of this revelation.
The mage gestures to His Majesty's desk, "If you would like to hear it, I will gladly share my findings with you, here, and now. But…" Maxwell then ignites a fireball, cradling it in the palm of his hand. "I will complete your task, King Cello. And I will do so my way! I will deal with threats appropriately!" Cello steps back, unsure of what Maxwell was planning to do with that conjured orb.
Maxwell plays with the fireball, juggling it, before ultimately putting it out. "You asked if I was happy… No. I'm not. I AM FURIOUS!" Magic seemed to explode from the mage! His eyes replaces with glowing lights! Cracks like broken stone erupted across his skin and clothing! A fiery aura expanded from him, causing the room to shake!
"I AM STUCK HERE BECAUSE OF YOUR OWN THREATS, ADRIAN CELLO! NEITHER OF US WANT ME HERE, YET YOU SEE FIT TO USE ME AT YOUR LEISURE LIKE SOME CIRCLE MAGE IN MY OLD COUNTRY!" The curtains shut, and the room seemed to become steadily darker. Cello thought he may have been seeing things when he saw Maxwell's shadow begin to separate and grow into monstrous figures. "WHEN I ENTERED THE GRAND LINE I SWORE TO MY CAPTAIN MY SERVICES AND NO ONE ELSE! WITH HIM, I WAS FREE! WITH HIM, I WAS MYSELF! I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT EVEN HAPPENED TO LUFFY, OR MY CREW, CELLO!"
"So I will make myself painfully clear!" Maxwell now loomed over Cello. The three figures on the walls grinning maliciously. "I will find these Children of Nightmare. I will put an end to them and their so called god. But after that, WE. ARE. DONE! I will take a boat. Sail far away from here. And never return."
Suddenly, the shadows, lights, and aura disappeared. Like it had never happened. "Do we have an understanding?"
King Cello glares at Maxwell, hard. It was almost inconceivable, challenging a king like that. He could easily have ordered for Maxwell's execution for this whole inconvenience!
…Yet, he would not do that. Now now at any rate. Not when he still needed… him. Was he even human?
Cello turns sharply on his heels and walks behind his desk. He reaches into a drawer and pulls out a glass and a bottle of whiskey. The king pours himself a drink, downs it all in one gulp, then returns to his chair, folding his fingers.
"Talk."
And so, Maxwell did.