Chapter Text
Watching as the Emperor's airship took off into the distance, the vehicle loaded with new product growing ever smaller, she lowered her hand back to her side. Her other arm was bent, holding a clipboard to track their orders. The last few weeks had been- hectic to say the least. But luckily, Odalia Blight thrived under pressure. She had to, sometimes being the only thing standing between that and their life’s work, their family. But it was a challenge she took on with pride.
Footsteps behind her, they trudged with familiarity. “I got that little gremlin on the hook!” There was triumph in her voice as she spun around to face the man as he approached. “She’ll be a perfect test subject for our new product!”
Her tone grew higher in pitch, almost melodic as she walked towards Alador. Experiments and calculations, theories, could only get someone so far, he taught her that more than once. He wanted, no he needed something more realistic to help fine-tune the last bits and bobs, and she would get him exactly that.
“Don’t you think it’s odd that they need this much security for the Day of Unity?” The man replied, rubbing the back of his neck as if that could dispel some of his worries.
Despite their conversation earlier about their family matters, the both of them had simply been so busy preparing orders that, ironically, they hadn’t gotten to it yet. After- they had promised, after everything was said and done they would fix things. He had failed to consider, and he really should have, that sometimes all time did to old wounds was force them wider. He always loved her focus, her determination- but her passion was dangerous as she poured herself into work. Near tunnel vision blinded her sometimes and despite her track, future thinking would escape her in these moments.
Maybe it was harder to steer her away this time, harder to tell her to take a break or press a kiss to her forehead and offer a cup of tea and some quiet time, because this was their dream. It was still their dream, right? “Perhaps we should reconsider this deal.”
But even as he said it, Alador’s stomach churned. This was what they always wanted, what they worked for- it didn’t feel right to throw it all away. And looking at his wife’s face, the way her eyes seemed to want to soften but then hardened again in icy blue steadfastness, he knew she was conflicted in the same way. The only difference was that Odalia hated being unsure more than she hated mistakes.
“Blights always uphold their end of the deal, dear,” She stepped closer to him, one hand on her hip. It was just business, she told herself. It was just- it wasn’t personal.
They worked that out a long time ago, work never interfered with their relationship, it wasn’t personal. But then why was there this awkward squeeze in her chest? This timid sort of insecurity as she got deeper and deeper into their plans? Why did it suddenly feel… lonely?
Taking in a quick breath, she pushed the feeling away and put on what was simply false confidence. “Or should I reconsider ours? It might be the time for the kids to play a more active role in Blight Industries.”
Touching her stone, visions of her children attending meetings and learning about the world of business danced through her mind’s eye. She had discussed this with him years ago, how the future she saw for her family, for her children’s success, involved them growing up inside their cooperation. That sort of skill, the natural instinct, couldn’t be taught- it had to be innate. Alador had disagreed. And so they left it there.
But at this time, and she wasn’t sure why she said it with such harshness, the idea reemerged. Working in their business and with the Emperor- it was killing two birds with one stone. How could he not see that? How could he be so blind? Annoyance pricked at her now, she was doing everything she could to give them security and he seemed to be indifferent at best. Sometimes she did wonder if he loved those abominations more than her, sometimes the thought festered especially when her brain was running on less sleep and more stress. “I could start the paperwork right now.”
The words as they escaped her lips, cutting and cold- which was often how she got during busy seasons- left a bad taste in her mouth. It was like she had no time for feelings, no time to doubt herself because doubt led to mistakes and mistakes were fatal. But staring into his face, those eyes that always seemed to strike right into her heartstrings, she felt piping hot guilt forming in her gut and the back of her throat. Burning her from the inside out.
She dropped her hand, the pink-purple light, like a flame she could barely control, diminished. I’m sorry, the phrase stayed unspoken as Alador turned and started to walk away. Letting out a breath, Odalia sighed and decided it was best to drop the conversation before she said another thing she'd regret. Feelings also did that to her- and her husband was always more adept at keeping whatever emotions from poisoning his language.
Reaching out, her touch lingered over his shoulder before she retreated. After, the woman told herself, after the Day of Unity they could talk. When it was all over and they’d have time. It was the one thing money and power couldn’t get them.
Brushing her fingertips over her stone again, images of her children made her eyes dart to the side. This discussion would truly have to wait for another day, but for a different reason.
~~
“You might want to reconsider,” She felt it then, as she did with every presentation and sales pitch she did, this feeling in her stomach that warmed her up and filled her eyes with spark. Pride- pride for her husband and his mind, excited to show the world what he was capable of.
With a flourish, Odalia pulled off the tarp hiding the large machine- the room bathed in a pink-purple hue from the glow of its chest. She remembered commenting on the brightness when he first created it. The man was explaining to her the purpose of all the other attachments before that haze seemed to lift from his eyes, the lens of creation, and he stared at her with a softened gaze. She loved the way he’d look at her in those moments, it made her feel seen.
And in the quiet of their lab, when the kids had long fallen asleep and the initial spark of their relationship was gone, when it was just them- a little older- a little less shiny and new- he had glanced at her exactly how he would when they were merely dating.
“I like the new design, what other features did you add?” Odalia had asked, glancing down at her clipboard that she was using to scribble down notes.
“Nothing more- except for this,” He puffed out his chest the way he always would when presenting the aspect he was most proud of. Hitting the center of the machine, the lab lit up in a bright light.
“Marvelous! What does it do?” She lifted the board and started to furiously write before the man lowered it for her and eventually set it aside. Taking her hand, he helped her off the table and brought her over so she could see her reflection in the lens.
Odalia also saw the way her husband stared at her, so subtle yet so real. The way his brow would relax and his eyes glittered. He reached out for her pendant and held it carefully.
His lips barely formed the words, speaking so softly- almost as if no one else was allowed to hear him, a secret meant only for her. “It reminds me of you.”
“Introducing the Abomatron! It’s seven hundred snorsepower, has two fairy-powered jetpacks, and comes in several shades of lilac!” She practically beamed as she spoke, remembering those late nights he spent refining those pesky fairies.
Seeing the wonder cross Kikimora’s face, her first thought was to hope Alador was seeing it- her next was to realize he wasn’t there. And suddenly, guilt crept in as she remembered her own annoyance towards him earlier. They hadn’t had any time to talk recently, not even to have tea or just sit together and work like they used to. She was meeting with the Emperor and he was building more and more products. They were becoming- disconnected. And it left her wondering what she was willing to sacrifice if it meant she could only admire him through his inventions, from afar.
~~
Maybe moping was a bit juvenile, but that was all he could think to do to clear his head. Sitting on the swing, the man sighed as he shoved another handful of snack into his mouth. The last time he came there was after their first big possible investor decided his work was too… lackluster was the word they used. Titan, his blood still boiled at the thought.
He had come there so Odalia wouldn’t have to see him, face red and angry, acting like a child who lost their favorite toy. But she had found him, sat down on the other swing, and allowed them to fall into angry silence. After a while, when he stopped kicking at the earth and turned towards her, the woman just shrugged at him and stared up into the sky.
“It was my fault,” She said matter-of-fact, “My presentation was all off.” When she spoke she reached one hand over and placed it on his knee. “I didn’t cover half the things that made your invention amazing.”
“Maybe he was right,” He replied, taking off his goggles- a gift from her- and staring at his sullen expression in them. “Odalia, maybe this was a bad idea. You should have someone who can provide for you, I’m just someone who gave up their chance to be a Coven Head to be a… hack.”
A ‘humph’ from her as she snatched her hand away. Did that work? Alador looked up in surprise to see her crossing her arms, “Are you saying my judgment is off?” She touched her pendant, “I want our future, I want-” Her voice died off, the word ‘us’ lingering on the tip of her tongue. Eventually, she diverted, “I want you to look over my presentations from now on! Make sure I’m explaining things correctly- like what in the Titan is a snorsepower?!”
That got a little laugh out of him, a tiny chuckle as the man reached over and took her hand from where it lingered on her chest. “Okay,” He had replied, soft and gentle, okay.
The chains creaked now, aged with time as he spoke to the Coven Guard sitting where his wife had been all that time ago. A groan as he watched the airships fly past in the air, “And was that the last of it?”
He handed off the chips to his new companion- or maybe hostage he wasn’t really sure- shoving another bite into his mouth before neglecting to chew as he spoke again. “Of course not!” A hard swallow, he brought his outstretched arms in to gesture, “While I was recovering from the fire flu she fired half my team and expected us to continue working at the same time! Did I mention I haven’t had a weekend off in five years?!” A sneeze interrupted his complaints, flames tickling at his nose.
Granted they never really spoke about any of these things- and Alador was well aware that these frustrations were bubbling up due to the pressures of the last few weeks- but still, the words just kept coming and coming until- maybe he could hear himself, maybe he sneezed the last of it out, but either way he felt more deflated than anything now.
~~
Playing with the bag in his hands, he ripped it methodically, “This is a big night,” Odalia was always such a dreamer, even if she called him the visionary. She wanted the world for them, maybe because she thought he deserved the world too. He could picture her, dazzling in the moonlight, and he wanted to be happy- for her and himself.
“I should feel accomplished but none of this feels right.” Staring at the pieces of trash in his palms, he glanced at the gap between one of the rips and couldn’t help but imagine him and his wife on opposite sides. He- missed her. As juvenile as it was. And he missed his family- the one he had right now and the one he wanted them to be if only they could find the time.
He promised himself then, that when all this was over he was going to make it. After all, he was an engineer for a reason.
~~
The checklist hovered in front of her as she went down the line, making sure everything was in order for this final shipment. But as she read, the pinkish-purple glow became goggle lenses, the text the color of his uniform. A’s morphed into his name, Alador, Alador, Alador- she shook her head. It wasn’t like her to get distracted, he’d tease her about it if he were here. Still though, something felt not right- like her instincts were trying to warn her. Side effect of Oracle magic.
“Odalia! Is my airship ready?”
Finally, a distraction as she turned to face Kikimora. With this send-off, she was free to attend to her other duties, the ones not connected to the company she dedicated her life to. “Just about! And I found two adorable little scoundrels trying to steal it.”
Her children were so cute, and peskily enough in that rebellious teenage phase. “But they’ll be dealt with,” They just had to understand- everything would be worth it if they could just hold it together for a little while longer. Though, her youngest always seemed to have the most problems with her ideas. Confined to a dome-shaped shield, she approached Amity.
“Don’t worry, they’ll just be grounded. With maximum security.” It was for their own good, after all, meddling with her plans was one thing- meddling with the Emperor’s could end up with them in the Conformotorium. Or petrified. The very thought sent a chill up her spine.
“You’re helping a witch hunter destroy everything!”
“Really, Mittens, I’m tired of all this drama,” Everything was going exactly as it should have been until they tried to throw a wrench into the gears. She was doing it for them- it was all for them. And maybe one day they’d understand- and if not then Odalia could die happy knowing she did everything she could for her children. Whether they liked it or not. “Sneaking around in little disguises,” She rested a hand on her chest, “Convincing the twins to act out, are you trying to make me look bad?”
And by that, she really meant ‘are you trying to destroy the family name?’. A Blight had meaning, a Blight had power, a Blight was what she and Alador built from the ground up. And she would protect it, even from its own kind.
“She’s trying to help people!” That painfully annoying human cut in.
“Hush, brat.” Odalia had to bite back an eyeroll. This was a family matter.
“Don’t you talk to my girlfriend like that!” Her daughter snapped at her, actually catching her by surprise as she glanced between the two.
“Girlfriend? Oh, no no. That won’t do.” Her finger traced a circle in the air, bringing up that ugly piece of paper she was not going to have attached to her daughter’s name. “We’ll find you a new girlfriend. Someone who’s not on wanted posters everywhere.”
Ripping the image in half, she let the sheets drop to the floor. Watching with honestly just annoyance and a mild headache at this point, she observed as her daughter attempted to escape her confines. Alador was right, she did have the makings of a Coven Head. If she could get that rebellious streak under control.
Pulling a face at the fist that met the forcefield, Odalia sighed, “Ugh, really. You’re embarrassing yourself.” She practically sneered, finding it harder and harder to keep up that calm and collected act. She wanted to shout, to scream at Amity to just give her some time for Titan's sake! Why did she have to choose to do this now?
Another punch. Seriously, it was getting repetitive at this point. Though she did have to admire her perseverance. But endurance was never her thing, and Odalia watched with relief she had to hide as smugness as she began to slow down.
Another gasp, one final punch, and she would be quiet. Just one more- the dome shattered before she could finish the thought. “What?”
It seemed that came to everyone's surprise, including her daughter’s as she stared down at her hands. “How did I do that? Was it the power of believing in myself?”
“No!” Alador cried out as he stepped out from the shadows, “It was the power of science!” A pause, wait he should- “But you almost had it, sweetie.” Pride swelled in his voice, she was taking after him.
“Odalia!” There was a pleading, almost apologetic undercurrent in his words. Guilt for not standing by her side more, for letting her pull away as their work persisted. He should have seen something- should have been there for her before they got to this point.
A part of her wanted to run towards him, she was at her breaking point and nothing sounded better than melting into his arms- the only place where the world seemed to quiet, present and future. But danger screamed at her, told her to hold her ground.
“The Emperor is planning to wipe out everyone with a Draining Spell! And our Abomatons are helping him do it!” He approached, practically begging her to break down or something. Just something to crack that wall she put between them. But she wasn’t as easy to get past as his forcefield, not even with the power of science. He only hoped he could get through, that she was still there- still with him.
But she stared blankly, and his stomach dropped as her indifference was amplified by a quick nail check. He spoke, biting back bitter bile as his eyes narrowed. And maybe the reaction, the anger, and hurt, came from betrayal. That she didn’t tell him when they should have been a team. And maybe it came from guilt, that he wasn’t someone she felt she could trust to support her. Whatever the reason, the words were coated in malice which only made her prickle more. “You already knew?”
“What he does with our products is none of our business,” They agreed on that the first week they started the company. To have to hold accountability for whatever the Isles wanted to do with their work? That was all too much. Alador always had a softer heart than her- it made her want to shield him, to take the blame. She could take it. “What is my business is keeping our family ahead of the rest.”
Her words were starting to grow more strained, “You’re welcome, everyone!” Odalia held out her arms at him as if to ask ‘isn’t this what we’ve always wanted?’. If they could get one leg up, be one step ahead- that’s what they had to do to survive, to make sure their children were safe and happy. She would do anything for her family. Even if it meant they hated her. At least the Emperor would show them mercy.
But Alador didn’t seem to agree, his face growing tomato red.
When they were younger she found it utterly adorable how he did that- she still did- the way not just his cheeks would flush from emotion. It made her feel- safe in some strange way, like she could always know what he was thinking. He didn’t have to hide it from her and she didn’t have to scrutinize his every action. They could trust each other, a silent alliance.
A blessing and yet a curse, since in that moment she knew exactly how he felt towards her. “Ugh, there you go making that face.” He didn’t- she did this for him! She was supporting him and- and after all this time she thought he would know that. She thought he supported her too. But all that was staring at her, annoyance, rage, disgust- it made her want to harden, to reflect it back at him. “This is why I don’t tell you things.”
That wasn’t true, she knew she was speaking out of malice, trying to hurt him like he was hurting her. That cool eyeroll and the level tone in her voice all she could do to keep from unraveling. Odalia swallowed hard, trying to stop her heart from racing in her chest, each beat threatening to shatter her from the inside. And though it wasn’t as obvious as her husband’s, her blood was rushing.
Take a breath. She turned to look away, almost ashamed to meet his gaze. Part of her wanted to apologize, the other cautioned her from showing weakness. “With the Emperor’s favor, we’ll live like royalty in the new world. Crowns and everything!”
She explained, glancing at her husband for something- some shred of understanding. Come on, Alador- he saw her. Odalia never cared about how others viewed her as long as they respected her products, her work- even her children’s opinions didn’t really matter if they did what they were told. But he, she cared about him. Let herself care with the trust that he offered her. Please-
“This is too much.” His voice almost shook as he stared down at the remote. It was as if he didn’t even know her anymore- and part of him wanted to give her a shred of doubt but there was no time to talk. They ran out of time, “Even for you”. Not with the Day of Unity fast approaching and Kikimora staring down their necks. And his children- they were right there.
For a second her blue eyes widened- seem to plead with him to hear her, maybe if it were longer he would have hesitated. But she hardened and so did he, flicking the switch and pressing the button to their life’s work. The Abomatons approached, surrounding her- and she looked so confused, so lost, so alone- he had promised her. He promised-
“Odalia,” The man had said, sitting under the great tree on that cool summer night. He passed her a box, a gift, tied with a ribbon and everything. She opened it and found a necklace from the Oracle coven inside, golden chain and pinkish purple pendant nestled in the packaging. The way her eyes shone at it in the moonlight took his breath away.
He guided her hand to it, she seemed hesitant to accept, and let her fingers brush over the cool surface. It glowed for a second with magic to her surprise before settling down. “I know I shut you out sometimes from my head. I know I get so caught up in my work that I forget to do anything else- but I also know I love you. So much that I’ll change the first two.”
She looked like she wanted to speak but stopped once she saw he wasn’t finished.
“I don’t know what our future will hold, you always know better than I do,” His lips tugged into a soft smile as he spoke. Her hand squeezed his fingers. “But I can promise you that in it, you’ll never be alone. I know it’s not a lot but-”
His girlfriend had thrown herself into his arms, so hard that he leaned back a second before melting into her hug. “You’re an idiot.” She muttered with a chuckle to her voice, he felt how her laugh brushed and tickled his neck and found himself doing the same- though a bit confused.
“I don’t want you to change, not at all.” Pulling away, she sat partially in his lap as she held his face, her palm resting on his cheek that was tinted bright pink while the other held the box and her new necklace. “You’re smart and you work hard and- I like just sitting with you. You! I love you!”
He was burning up, something he probably would have hidden if it wasn’t in front of her. But instead Alador just laughed and put a hand on her waist, holding her closer and leaning in. Their lips met, it was soft and sweet- like nectar and young love.
Before pulling away, Odalia lingered a bit with her forehead pressed against his own. She understood then, as she did now, that that was what it was to love a dreamer. They, in some ways, would always be moving away from you- because in their head there would always be something more beautiful. She wanted nothing more than to see his world, even if it was through tiny peeks and slivers. She wanted nothing more than to share it with him- because then she wouldn’t be alone.
The half-machine half-magic weapons surrounded her- blue eyes darkening as she reached for her pendant. A bandaged ghost leapt out from the gem, shrieking- she wasn’t sure if that reflected something internal or not. Probably not.
Alador lifted his hand, an abomination rising from the ground to grapple with his wife’s attack. The motion was so practiced, so second nature to him- but it felt all wrong. And even as the two beasts fought and he pushed on, the man couldn’t get over this unsettling feeling in his gut.
Magic glowed from her pendant as she narrowed her eyes, channeling more power into the battle but not to hurt him- she would never- she didn’t even want to imagine it. Her ghost released a smaller one, traveling through the abomination and snatching the remote from her husband’s hand. He would understand when this was all over- and even if he didn’t then he would be praised by the Emperor for his work and any act of treason would surely be overlooked.
The remote rested in her palm, she barely processed whatever Kikimora was doing behind her as she observed the device.
However, Alador was not given such a luxury, creating a net from his abomination goo and lunging to the side to avoid the machine as it barreled through into the warehouse. These were his inventions- his life’s work- now being used to harm his daughter and his friends. Part of his frozen nature was from shock as he stared, marveling at both his daughter’s abilities and his own lack of sense. How could he have been so blind? Towards his family and his business.
Once his feet found their traction it was too late and the machine took off into the air. “Ha!” His voice actually cracked a bit with excitement, “The jet pack actually works!” Invention induced euphoria surrounded him before realization set in, “Oh… the jet pack actually works.”
Though he didn’t really have time to revel nor regret as his own Abomatons surrounded him, piloted by his wife.
“Well,” There was a bit of- roughness to her voice, “Since we’ve finished with that little mess let's get back to business, shall we?” Maybe she wanted to pretend that didn’t happen- they could go back to the way things were and when the Day of Unity was over they could make things better. Just- if everything would just go according to plan.
But of course- Amity. “You!” She growled, stepping towards her and pointing with an accusatory finger. “I am never speaking to you again!”
“You’ll thank me later when you’re a literal princess, Princess.” She’d understand later all she did for her- and even if she still hated her, at least she was hated by a princess. “It’s what’s best for the family,” Touching her stone again, she tried to get a glimpse into the future as if to reassure herself. But worry often clouded her visions and she couldn’t get a clear one.
Preparing to be struck by her daughter as circles formed near the girl’s wrists, honestly if it would make her a little more cutthroat she was willing to take it, Odalia paused for a second as Alador stepped up.
“What’s best for the family is putting an end to all this.” Magic coursed through his veins and made his iris’s glow, he raised abomination created fists, wasting no time in rendering the Abomatons unusable without repair.
Her heart dropped, real fear showing on her face for the first time in ages. She reached out a hand, for him- “No wait!” But it was too late and he struck the weapons right in their pink-purple glowing center, sending them sprawled out onto the floor.
The remote wasn’t even in her thoughts at this point as she ran over to one of them, kneeling and attempting to stir it back to life to no avail.
“Oh no no no no no!” Turning back to him, her hand balled into a fist, “You’re destroying-” Us. He was giving up on them. He was- “Our life’s work!” That was easier to swallow. After all, it was just business. They both knew it wasn’t. Emotions were high, charged- confusing.
Standing, she turned, “But I won’t let you destroy it any further!” A hand to her pendant, the one that reminded him of their creations.
Anger clouded her judgment, any vision that wanted to appear was immediately snuffed out. She wasn’t sure what she was doing but it was going to be something. He was always better at keeping his cool than her. The ghost came back, surrounding her as if in an embrace- like she was trying to comfort herself subtly.
The man stared at her, hand shaking with adrenaline. He was grappling, his mind tossing and turning like usual but this time not with images of bolts and magic- but the woman he knew and loved, and the actions she took. Why? Was it his fault? “This work is finished.”
The next phrase probably shouldn’t have come to fruition. It was loaded with anger and stress and definitely not thought through despite his calm nature. But he said it anyway- because in that moment a part of him wanted to hurt her too. As if he needed to test whether she could still feel something like that. “Also, I quit.”
Three words stole the air from her lungs and the rage from her heart, replacing both with a strange sense of nothing. Numbness washed over her, the rush was gone- And so was he. Ringing through her ears, the phrase echoed and bounced around in her mind, getting louder and louder until it threatened to consume her. She stared at him, into his amber eyes, trying to find how he used to look at her. That gaze that made her feel- feel not so alone. Nothing.
Her hand dropped, “Fine,” Balled into a fist at her side as she walked towards and past them. “I’ve been meaning to find a more competent business partner anyway.”
It was easier to talk about it like that, just work- just work. It wasn’t him. It wasn’t her. It wasn’t them. She didn’t mean it though but it felt good to say. Maybe that was why she avoided his eyes, so that she wouldn’t have seen the way they widened ever so slightly and flickered with hurt.
He never- he always thought she wanted him. That’s what she would reassure. Alador followed her with his gaze as she walked away, seeing the way she held herself. He knew that posture. She closed herself off, and he was the one to help put on the locks.
Turning on her heel, Odalia knew she shouldn’t say anymore. But anguish was a cruel master and it tugged on her reins. “And you won’t be getting your severance package.” Because you won’t leave- please don’t leave me. Please-
The words were spat out like poison. Her heart twisted and festered in her chest, threatening to claw up into her throat and suffocate her. With every breath, flames seemed to tickle at her cheek and eyes. She opted to turn away before her vision could blur.
In a mist of purple smoke, she was gone. Alador took in a breath, keeping it together on the surface for the children but struggling to stand. Like a sailor thrown from his ship into the boiling waters- drowning. “Oh Titan,” The man sighed, what had he done? “That was terrifying.”
And it wasn’t the fight, the magic, the threat of unemployment. It was the fear, the invisible, inescapable, all-consuming, pins and needles, cuts and wounds sensation running through his body at the thought of losing his best friend for good.