Chapter Text
Belos realized that the intruder in his mind had lied a second to late. His hand, twisting into the form of a blade, had slammed into the chest of the man standing in front of him faster than he could hope to redirect it elsewhere. Belos knew that it was a killing blow without so much as looking at the wound and it seemed the man did as well, as instead of attempting a healing spell or even trying to fight back, the man simply began to speak.
”Guess I wasn’t convincing enough, huh?” He spoke raggedly, his voice broken by what Belos thought was sadness. Belos said nothing, unable to form words at the realization of what he had just done.
“You know for a second there I thought I had convinced you to let me help.” He said, coughing violently as his lungs began to fail.
“You had convinced me.” came Belos response a few seconds later.
”Really, because this blade in my chest says otherwise.” The man replied again taking another ragged breath, this one shallower than before.
”I didn’t mean for this to happen, Mes-“ Belos began before being cut off.
“It doesn’t matter, not anymore.” The man took a shaky breath before continuing.
” What’s done is done, I’m going to die here and neither of us can stop it. Whether or not you intended for this to happen doesn’t matter.” The man said, tears welling in his eyes.
”I’m sorry.” The Emperor said, gently lowering the man to the ground so he could lay down, still keeping the blade in to slow the bleeding. Not that it mattered.
”Your sorry? You just stabbed me in the chest and your sorry?!” The man laughed darkly as a dark pool formed beneath him.
“It may sound insincere but I truly am sorry, my mind convinced me that you only wanted my position and power. I was unable to recognize it in time.” Belos said, casting a spell to numb the mans pain.
”Like I said what’s done is done, your actions can’t be undone anymore than mine can.” The mans breathing seemed to relax, most likely due to the numbing spell.
”Still, I am truly sorry. I-“
”I need you make me a promise.” The man interrupted, attempting to sit up.
”What?” Belos said, surprised that the man whom he had just doomed to death was asking a promise of him.
”I need you to make me a promise!” The man said, this time more urgently than the last.
”Why would you ask me for a promise? Am I not the one that just s-“ Belos was interrupted by the man managing to sit up enough to grab the Emperors cloak.
”And that’s exactly why you owe me a final request! Now I need you to make me a promise!” The man was now yelling, clinging onto Belos’ cloak like he would disappear.
“Yes, Whatever it is I promise.”
“Find my family, tell them what happened to me.”
”Human Realm. Noceda.”
Belos closed the mans eyes and stood, retracting his arm from his chest.
He could hear Kikimora and the castle guards outside the door, preparing to enter.
As the door flew open and the first guards entered Belos picked up the body and walked towards the door, his demeanor already returned to that of the cold, uncaring Emperor of the Isles.
"I'll take care of the body, the rest of you clean up the blood." Belos said as he walked out of the throne room & headed towards the main gate of the castle.
The man had used his final breath to ask that his family be informed of his fate.
Belos had made a promise and this time he had every intention of keeping it.
"I'm sorry, Messor."