Chapter Text
Two figures stand in the ruins of a town, looking around at the devastation.
Sagax runs their fingers along the crumbled remains of the waypoint, the center of the town where people can teleport in and out. A sigh goes through their whole body as the glance around at all the buildings, a heavy weight growing more and more every time their eyes land on a body. They notice their hands shaking, and stuff them into their pockets as they stand up straight.
"What now," Dicar croaks out, weariness dripping off of xir voice. Sagax glances at xem over their shoulder, and that weight grows even heavier. A devastated look of disbelief and horror is painted over xir face, xir golden eyes dull with sorrow. Xe look small, Sagax remarks to themself. Xe are hunched over almost, xir whole body almost shaking as xe stare not at Sagax, but in the direction Sagax knows is the schoolhouse. They refuse to look over there.
King Yanna always said that the best way to control your enemies is through the children.
No one realized that she wasn't talking only about the other realms.
Sagax tilts their head to the side, turning to face Dicar completely. Xe rubs over xir arms almost subconsciously, xir fingers tracing over the red scarred chains dancing across xir arms. All of a sudden, Sagax is struck by the fact at how young Dicar looks. At how young he is. At how long xe were under King Yanna's finger.
Dicar knows that saying better than anyone.
They have only seen Dicar like this once before. Xe tend to try to keep xir emotions locked up. Wonder who's fault that is, Sagax thinks bitterly.
The same person who's the reason Sagax has seen xim like this twice.
They still remember the day Dicar finally believed them. Sagax had already told xim their suspicions about King Yanna, but they knew that Dicar didn't fully believe them. Why would xe? King Yanna was like a mother to xim.
The haunted and devastated look in xir eyes after that day is forever burned in their mind.
"Sagax?" xir voice breaks through their thoughts, defeat coloring xir words. Xe sound so weary. So does Sagax. They clear their throat before answering.
"We wait. She said she'll return here. So we just have to wait until she does," they answer with a sigh. They remember the last time they saw her. Her laughter when she told them that she'll see them again at the town with glittering cliffs and mountains.
They should have expected the ruins.
They should have known which town she was talking about.
They should have saved them.
"How do you know?"
"She just wants to get rid of us. This is her chance. Isolated and alone," they respond, their words clipped.
"Where's Lexor." Dicar asks, but it's not a question. It's just a broken and defeated statement.
"I don't know."
That's all they can say.
"Does it matter anyway?"
The pair freezes. That weight suffocates Sagax as they try to breath, ice freezing their heart as they spin around. They can see Dicar out of the corner of their eyes, xir eyes a swirl of gold and dark red, red electricity beginning to sparkle around xim. Sagax knows they look similar as they feel the energy fill them from head to toe, their eyes dancing with silver now.
King Yanna stands before them, a wide smile on her face.
"Why hello there," she purrs. Her arms are crossed, eyes a bright red magenta. She is radiating confidence, for why wouldn't she be?
"How could you," Dicar croaks out, anger and horror painting xir words.
All she does is cock her head and laugh, taunting the pair.
"Why not?"
The pair look at each other and nod. They are in the same length as they spring forward. Sagax flicks their knives out of their sheaths, the knives and their arms being circled by silver energy. Dicar grips xir spear and flies towards her, xir black wings fanning out behind xim.
King Yanna just stands there with that stupid grin as the two reach her.
It happened so fast.
Next thing they know, a scream rips through the air.
They don't even notice as they collapse on the ground, coughing up blood.
All they can do is watch.
Their eyes widen as Dicar plummets off the nearby cliff, xir wings leaving a trail of smoke.
King Yanna laughs before turning towards Sagax, her eyes flashing with amusement.
She smiles.