Chapter Text
All of them fell into a coma for zero normal reasons they can think of. Fwhip aside, the explosion gave people nothing but light scratches. It wasn't when they felt the ground tremble, not when they met up at spawn to see what happened, but it was some time much later. It would be when they saw the significant contrast it did to the empires, and what vision all twelve possessed that's filled with ray of colors abruptly go black. Only the ruler of Grimlands and a Cod boy would ever think salmon and cod combined was ever a good idea.
And so, after an unnecessary three months lost of consciousness, they're here on a group huddle to discuss some current situation that two unlikely allies had made. Standing in a circle form somewhere in a not-so-random jungle forest; because it was too familiar than it should. Joel knows of course, he's been here before. He looks at his companions.
Rivals. Or maybe one-sided? He remembers right now the good times they had and whatnot. The good times where despite everything, he out of all people should know they were the best of friends. But Joel's never gonna admit that he may have hit himself in the head after cursing at the horrified view of a Matral palace's crack, for him to have acquired that kind of mindset.
Comrades. Trustworthy treasures and one of the best things the Mezalean king had, up until it was accompanied with a brother-in-law, a wife. A Family. Joel glanced at each of the emperors in the eye. It was time to continue where they left of. That made him slightly light-headed, excitement too much to bear. But when he saw Lizzie again a few moments ago, she looked so lost and confused. Like she thinks she didn't belong here. Why?
He was the first one that spawned in the area, which is strange. He half-expected it to be Fwhip since he was technically the one who led them in the beginning of this whole Empires adventure. Instead, he was left to deal with rings that feel like it's been set off on fire, somewhere in a pant's pocket. Somehow he also had Lizzie's, which would be stranger than him being the first one to return. They never not wear it. Joel had a temptation, although unconsciously something told him not to put it back. That there was a reason why it wasn't where it's supposed to be in the first place... and he listened. Because if it involves Lizzie, you should expect him to be at his best behavior.
Joel had his crown inside a bag that was beside him when he woke up. It's weight was heavier than what he remembered after he placed it in its placement once again, the burdens and responsibilities in which it carried wasn't something he needed at the time. So he would put it back away, but not for forever. And of course, old memories tucked inside his head for him to think back upon. To think about the regrets, the pride, and the ones with joy. To think about them always. With eyes filled with recognition and familiarity—he willingly bored them into the others, too confident for his own good as he met a range of colors with his own. A huge grin was plastered on his face, but there was a tug on heartstrings when a pink-haired woman looked at them like they were supposed to be strangers.
And that scares him.
The villagers: their respective group of people that lived in each of their empires, were fortunately safe and sound. During the days they were unable to complete royal chores, the loyal people to which deserve to be called part of the family, Aeor guided to thrive and pursue as they help their leaders heal. Because let's be honest, empires are realistically just one big orphanage that helps random groups of strangers as they multiply into more groups of even stranger human beings. One that will hopefully grow and become the next generation.
When they woke up, each of them disappeared from their personal rooms and instead got teleported to the spawn point. Thus, after a brief recap of everything that happened and a small rundown of what they're supposed to do: Everyone scattered to their respective empire, but Joel stays. Was he forgetting something? As the group broke off, he warily watched Lizzie...
She didn't go to the direction of her ocean. The one that Mezalea overlooked. She went the exact opposite.
Running as if being chased. Lizzie found comfort in the shadows that hid her presence. She was confused, hungry, lost. Like she just went astray from the path she once followed all her life. Beliefs and recognition changed the moment she stood in front of a palace avoided by its own supposed element, water, something she felt weird solace to.
In the midst of it all, at least something came out of the pathetic excuse of a day. Earlier, she was surrounded by reunions and small talks. Strangers who were not technically hard to get information out of because they treat her as if she's their own. From what she gathered, intentionally hearing in on some conversations, in the ones she was requested to join and the ones she wasn't. Apparently they're royalty? How come she got teleported with them?
As far as she knows—which admittedly isn't much—Lizzie remembers all the basic things like reading, writing, walking. How to talk to people... her mind didn't de-age she just has amnesia, geez. Her first name and of course, the personal belongings inside the bag that was supposedly beside her when she woke up. If she could remember all those important things then how come she has no recollection of being a royal? The former axolotl hybrid is silently gonna ignore that what's mentioned above were 'necessary' and not technically were they 'important'.
Time moved but two individuals stood still. Someone, Lizzie saw a soul that complimented her very own. Whatever that meant. They say opposites attract, right? Well let's hope she didn't have any ties with the person who wore a boyish grin all the while staring at her, because if she was being honest, they looked like an absolute idiot. Looking at her as if she was someone even more important than what she apparently is. A queen.
The sun fades in the background, beautiful colors dimming as it paved way for the darkest sky. Lighting up the black void, moon and stars shine their brightest. Lizzie made a makeshift shelter for the night—and hopefully not for the following days. She was in the middle of nowhere, physically as well as mentally. Trying to get comfortable in her current home, she reached for her bag to take out a weird book. One full of even weirder prophecies (apparently)
She continued flipping the pages, random words flying in and out of her ear until an abrupt stop on a blank spread. With a head tilt, hovering hand and just out of curiosity, light brush of a fingertip over the paper when sudden black ink started writing themselves.
"Unwanted interference
Testing ties that were tainted blood red
To understand why the world feel like it's ending
Relationships aren't broken just bent"
What the heck. Was this a new riddle for strangers to solve? Man, she can't believe she was the one who—not really—made this. Who knew you could be a genius without even knowing of what you just created?
But it was strange.
After having no success in trying to figure out the old prophecies, she closed the past and got ready for bed. An hour later she's still in the same sleeping position. Eyes open. It's late at night, but she noticed something peculiar. At the meeting that was held, sure she felt alert and paranoid being surrounded by random people. But she didn't feel completely out of place. Kinda. As if her anxiety was just something akin to an anticipation. Anticipation of a jumpscare from a brother, or a loving surprise attack from a husband. Not as dramatic as she actually felt it was.
Maybe they actually did know each other. Huh, wouldn't that be something? Staring into nothingness somehow makes her remember stuff. But when the sun would come, she wouldn't know she'd be sleep deprived. The Ocean royal wasn't desperate... just lonely.