Chapter Text
Fluixon was lost in his thoughts yet again.
What went wrong?
Was it when he took shelter in Infernus?
Was it when they found evidence of his crimes?
Was it when he traded with the covenant?
Was it when he sent Newkids to kill 3Bellow zero, was he too hasty?
Was it when he let saps Saparata escape his execution?–curse those common wealth scum.
Was it when seraphim killed Jophiel so he had to rush the trap on Saparata’s roof and be unable to kill all of the leaders?
Or… was it when… Of course not!? No! Never! Ever. Not in a milli-
"You must be quite drunk, you're usually not this talkati-" "Are you two twinks done now?" Seraphim interrupted, coming back from the stage. 'What the fk did she just call me?' "Ishs Thomas has terribleeee music taste", she said as she slowly stumbled back to the table.
"IIII have a question for you flulux, why *hic* didn't you tell saps about the theing? I've known that guy since theria and we don't call him 'white monkey' for a reason”. Her speech was unaligned but nothing Flux–someone who spent half a life time with chaos incarnates couldn’t handle. Is that what he calls his goons? That's cute.
However the same couldn't be said for Newkids. He has no idea what this woman is on about.
“Oh ish” Flux put a hand between his brow ridge-annoyed. Time and time again why him? Why always- why-I hate him I hate him I hate him I hate him I hate him I hate him I hate hi-
“Can we not? It's like seeing an ex.”Flux whined, pushing seraphim away who had an arm around his neck, reeking of maple and cherry. “Honestly? I tried to. But you know what happened!?" He raised his voice "Fricking Haethbeorht himself came and forbade us from it. He said some crap about ‘SaPArata hAs DOne enOuGH’ or whatever.”
“Seriously, why is an overseer invested in his ordeal?” Newkids asked. “Netk if I know. All I know at the time is that getting that much attention from a god when you're planning a conspiracy is not good”
Thomas half-sprinted back to them, somewhat panicking. “Guys, Cass is here” “What”. Almost on cue they heard loud voices of Maxi and Rinnky greeting Cass. The door swung open. They were quick to play pretend.
Cass’s eyes immediately landed on Flux and his gang.
"Fluxion" she called out, grabbing their attention."You know for a man that was screaming about a possible multi-island war, you seem… very..... happy " Cass questioned, clearly they should not be here right now.
"Oh my ish and the Admins, if I have to deal with one more government official I'm gonna build the tallest damn tower in all of Pandora and decorate the lands with my guts.” Flux dramatically exclaimed.
"That's a rather horrifying visual…." "Please, Your Highness, leave this guy be. It's either this or the panic box and I guarantee this is much healthier" Thomas intervened. This is probably not his first time making sure Fluxion doesn't start a war Cass thought
“ Oh! No need to call me that, just Cass is fine. Um Fluxion you're not really denying any allegations by doing this bud. If anything this makes it worse- Is he always this Um-” She gestures ambiguously at Flux “when he's drunk Thomas?”
Thomas let out a heavy sigh“Not really, he’s quite restricted but-” He turned to Flux in time to catch him from falling off. How did this man fall asleep? “He’s hopeless currently” “Righttt.” Cass doesn't really trust this.
“You sound not too different either Thomas. Doing good?”Cass commented–noticing his deadpan voice. “ Ohh no need to be polite Cass, I know you don't like us-” “Woah, woah, woah hold on.”
She threw her hands up–freigning innocence. “no? Not at all. Just, weary.” “hm….I see” His gaze shifted back to Flux–soft, loving and absolutely done with him at the same time. If Cass didn't know any better, it's almost like she had disturbed a date right now.
“I fricking hate this guy.” Thomas spoke,taking Cass off guard. “People like him shouldn't care about others. It always ends with them tearing eachother apart.” What. Are all Luminarians this philosophical? That makes no sense! They are a group of engineers and architects.
“Cass, I apologize on his behalf about the meeting but.. you have to understand Yggdrasi-”
“Listen” A different voice called out. Thomas didn't notice them stepping inside or saw them with Cass at all. It's almost like they just teleported.
“Yggdrasil is suffering whether he believes it or not and the chances of war is low, if not none” The figure removed their helmet.
“Jopheil.” Thomas called. “I hope you’re correct in this.” He stepped forward “But know that Flux never meant to be a warmonger. He spoke with good intentions” Thomas stared at Jophiel, unblinking, threatening her to break a secret.
“And I hope you are fully aware of the madman you're dealing.” He spoke, lower, softer, as if the very mention of it might make the air spark in flames.
“Let's not sour the mood with all the political bullshit shall we? This is a party!” “Seraphim??” Jopheil exclaimed, surprised that her supposedly tired and out of commission 2nd in command was out with a bunch of hooligans drinking like there's no tomorrow–no shame, no shits given, no- oh my god she is taking off her mask.
No! This would be a disgrace to Tri color if word got out that the queen and the lady of color were found drunk in the drunken octopus, with a bunch of pirates!
"Seraphim.H of color, I swear to ish-” “Whoooo ar you?” Seraphim asked, words coming out like a toddler attempting speech– maybe Jopheil's disguise is working too well.
"Yeah, we haven't seen you around here.” The bartender spoke. "First time? Why don't I buy you some dri-OF" Seraphim punched him "gaet off-" her voice is slurred and breathy "fiiinnnd your own woman" she puts a hand around Jophiel's shoulder. "Thisss one is mine to bag.” Jophiel looks mortified by that comment.
Flux wasn't truly asleep–of course he wasn't, he can still hear them and honestly? He doesn't know what to think, be surprised that Jophiel is here? Be surprised by Tom's straight up propaganda? Be surprised that Seph is hitting on the person she murdered?Once murdered? How would this work? Or just be supportive. Either way this almost made him forget he's supposed to be acting as a drunkard right now.
But also the alcohol is somewhat catching up on him. He could feel his head throbbing as the sounds of singing and fighting slowly muffled out.
Fluixon fell asleep.
Out of the blue he heard war cries and sounds of clashing iron. He jolted up. He is back in the infernus castle, fighting, swarms upon swarms of people chasing after him. So he did the most logical thing to do and ran.
He ran, he ran ‘till he can't feel his legs ‘till he heart beat drowned out the sounds of war ‘till everything was a blur ‘till he lost those men. This is giving him deja vu of a different castle, one not of molten lava but of bone chilling snow.
The surroundings were odd. The castle was big but he'd been running in one direction for way too long to not have fallen into the lava. Another thing, the castle seems steady, too steady. It is hoisted up by metal chains suspended above lava, it shouldn't be this stable, not when hundreds of men are fighting to the death on it.
He stopped to catch his breath. Flux wake up
He saw 4 figures run towards him. Please wake up
Fear, rage and adrenaline pulsed throughout his body as he turned his back to run again but- He screamed.
Pain shot across his body as he dove face first into…a tree trunk? Infernus doesn't have trees.
He is not in the volcano. Yes wake up
He tried to figure out where he was but his pursuers were close, closer than he had realized. One of them grabbed his arm and pulled him in. No-
Out of pure instincts he pulled out his sword and took a defensive against his pursuers and a full upwards slash to whoever dared to touch him. If he was gonna go down….he f##king won't.
It wasn't until he took an arrow on his left arm that he started to see a clear and calm night sky. He froze. The gentle breeze, the distant shine of the cartel van, the twinkling stars, the sound of a giant flag flapping against the tree leaves, it's all so peaceful…. And he ruined it.
In that moment of confusion Newkids swiftly yanked Flux's sword from his hands. Hvyrotations jumped on him and pinned him on the ground, face in the dirt and arms behind his back.
He can see things more clearly now and the price of it was Thomas, on the ground with a slash across his chest, bleeding to death. Cass crouched beside him–bow on her left with red tipped arrows, pushing her cloak in his wound to stop the bleeding.
He knows who did this.
It's that idiot that let his delusions ruin the lives of thousands.
It's that idiot that destroyed the peace he so dearly wanted to protect.
It's that idiot that dragged his friends to war saying it's for the greater good.
That idiot that instilled unnecessary fear. THAT IDIOT THAT KILLED HIS SISTER. THAT IDIOT THE BETRAYED EVERYONE. THAT IDIOT THAT BETRAYED HIS FRI-
“THOMAS”
♪｡*ﾟ+・。・♪
Back in the drunken octopus.
“His name is Cacto, he’s a pretty fly guy.
Right hand to the fleet master, Aye! Aye!
He’s second in command to the entire republic, don't mess with his ass, he’ll kick you in the stomach " "OHH POP OFF MAXI” “ PASS THE MIC TO VIRO”
Loud cheers erupted every time someone finishes a free style rap. The party is in full swing and Jophiel? She would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy it.
Having to keep an eye on Seraphim is annoying, sure but it's… strangely endearing to see Seraphim without all her “do not speak to me or speak out of line” act, it shows how much effort she puts into maintaining order in Tricolor.
“Yeah, up next our trusty quartermaster,
Ricky is his name and he ain't a boredom factor,
He’s the only one who can read a map, without his help we’d be in alotta crap” “niceee Viro!” “It's true tho we all can't read” Matheus shouted.
It was different from what Jopheil's used to, no elaborate etiquette protocols, no overly specific dress codes, no eyes that watch every move she makes, just… absolute madness! Almost infectiously so.
“Let our visitors have a go- You! Mutant guy!” someone called at Gotoga. “Me?” Gotoga asked in shock. The audience turned to him. “Oh! Wait wait I got one. Here I go, Yea”
“Fluxion Luminara our good old vice president,
Sharp wits silver tongue, his confidence is evident,
But with thousand cups of coffees and beneath that light, he got piles of paper work that he does all night!” “oOOH”
“POP OFF GOTOGA” Seraphim cheered while still clinging to Jophiel in her attempts to stand straight.
“I have no idea who the guy is but he sounds misssserable” Lowena said, popping the B. “Ugh tell me about it, that's why we took him here- wait no, he did.”
Gotoga looked around with a plan to drag Flux to sing but found that not only Flux but Thomas and the others were missing as well. ‘Something’s wrong.’ He sobered up almost immediately.
He found Seraphim with a stranger at a table near the corner.“Hey Seph?–Oh I see you’ve taken care of our accomplice here–have you seen Flux or like anyother of the council?” He asked the drunken woman and her friend.
She completely ignored him, stood up and walked to the stage–well that's concerning. He looked at the stranger with suspicion, they aren't here for the party clearly…..‘I wonder what they want’
“Ah I talked to Thomas earlier but-” Gotoga cut them off with a wave “I don't care just keep Seph in check, I'll ask around.” He patted their shoulder–as if acknowledging the drunken lunatic that is Seraphim– before getting close and whispering, “I don't care what your intentions are but if it involves us. Don't”
A dagger was under his neck in an instant–It seems she didn't go quite far. “Careful bud, I don't really like sharing her attention.” Seraphim warned, eyes filled with murderous intent.
Clearly Jophiel has hit the jackpot on a guard–Efficient, Sharp, dutiful….but does her loyalty truly lie with Tricolor? If it did then why….
“Yield Seraphim.” Jopheil ordered. Seraphim sheathed her blade begrudgingly, fumbling with the scabbard and cursing.
“You dare threaten The Queen of Tricolor?” She asked. Gotoga smiled, “Oh! What brings you here, your majesty?” He raised his voice enough to draw attention from the onlookers. Jopheil’s eyes widened–fear and paranoia lingered as people turned their attention to them.
“Wait you're a queen!?” Seraphim asked, apparently she still hadn't figured it out yet. Jopheil takes back what she just said, she now understands what Thomas meant earlier.
“Don’t worry much half of these drunkards will forget about this tomorrow. I'm sorry for threatening you, my queen.” Gotoga gave a mocking bow.
He left the bird and the dagger to continue looking for his missing friends, “Goodness they get carried away way too easily, I thought I told them to keep close”
He went outside to check in Snowbird–he ran out earlier to throw up for the 100th time.
And that's how Gotoga saw a very panicked–almost crying–Flux trying to wake up Snowbird. ‘Is he dead?’ He ran towards the two. “Flux wha-” “Gotoga! Oh praise ish you're alive!” He froze.
“Flux what are you talking about” Gotoga asked as he checked on Snowbird. The lil sht is asleep! On the road!
“No, we’re all alive. This is- that was…”Fluixon shook his head, “Gotoga I need your help Thomas is injured.” ‘Oh ish’
“Roger, Wepon, Toxin, Time?”
He paused before answering “My sword, none, five minute run from here”
Gotoga’s eyes widened in shock but he knew better than to ask right now. “Go tell micro, he’s at the docks. I expect an explanation after this Flux”
Flux nodded before running off once again, they can leave snowbird in the dirt a while longer.