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Darius stood in front of the mirror adjusting himself as he peered at the reflection. Today was a big day, his first as Coven head, and as tradition, each coven head receives their first assignment from the Emperor himself. Darius had to look his best for his big day. He had worked half his life for this, every drop of blood and sweat would be worth it for what was to come next. He would be proud. Darius closed his eyes shaking his head a little to rid his mind of the thought. He couldn't think of him, he hadn't been able to for years, not without doing something he'd regret. But today he especially couldn't, today was too important to sink back into that hole of pity and grief. He had been able to avoid it for a while, throwing himself into his work, perfecting his trade, and never giving himself a moment or breath to think about anything. But grief was persistent and every now and then something would remind Darius of him, whether it was in the voice of a passing stranger or a display of his sigil. Whatever it was, it would catch Darius' eye and that heavy, hollow feeling would grow in his chest. But not today, he refused to let anything ruin today. He inhaled slowly drawing his shoulder back up straight, Like a gentleman, his mother would say, and continued to preen himself.
Once the reflection in the grand mirror met Darius's standards of decency the purple abomination atop his head stretch a tendril of ooze across the room to grab a purple, satin cape that had been steam-pressed and hung carefully the night before. Darius hummed a thank you as he took the cape, he draped it over his shoulder bringing the cord around the front to secure it into place. Through the hole, 'round the back, aaand click rang a painfully familiar voice in Darius' memory. He looked back up into the mirror and saw himself, sixteen years old, dressed in the few nice clothes his family could afford, struggling to fasten an elbow-length cape around his shoulder. Young Darius growled in frustration as the chord once again came undone causing the cape to slide off his arm. Young Darius scrambled to grab it before it touched the ground and a raspy laugh came from out of the mirror's view.
"Need a hand" the boy chuckled.
Young Darius turned to look up at the boy's face, a huge scar etched across his nose and cheek, as he came into view of the mirror.
"How do you work one of these things?" young Darius asked irritably, glaring down at the cape in his hands.
"You just gotta know the trick," The boy said taking the cape and setting it over Darius' shoulder, the boy was two heads taller than Darius and had to bend down a little to bring the chord around Darius' front.
"Through the hole, 'round the back, aaand Click! " The boy hummed as he twisted the chord, securing it with a satisfying click. "There."
Young Darius turned back to the mirror, adjusting the cape to his liking. He gave a content smile to the mirror as he stood up straight, puffing out his chest a little.
"I see I've made an impression," The boy said smugly gesturing to the identical cape he wore. Darius tched as the boy stepped up next to him.
"Please, I pull this off much better than you," he said flattening the wrinkles Haughty
"In your dreams, squirt!" The boy laughed, punching Darius' shoulder. Young Darius elbowed him in the ribs before the boy wrapped his arm around his neck in a friendly head.
"Ack! I just fixed my hair" Young Darius cried as his laughs mixed with the boys, their voices grew distant as Darius brought himself back.
Darius smiled sadly into the mirror wiping away a single tear, careful not to smear his eyeliner. He sniffed, puffing his chest out and smoothing the wrinkles in his cape. He looked over himself one final time and turned on his heel for the door.
---
The Emperor's castle was the largest and most beautiful in the isles, filled with high ceilings and walls draped with fine tapestries, and stained glass windows depicting the royal figure of Emperor Belos himself. The castle was home to every Coven head, scout, student, and teacher skilled enough to be accepted into the ranks of the Emporers coven. There weren't a great many sounds that erupted from the castle's inner halls, most ambiances were that of large troops of scouts marching through the castle on departure for a mission. One sound that was most peculiar to hear within the castle was that of a small high-pitched crying. Scouts would look at one another perplexed by the noise that never seemed to cease, they could follow the sound through the castle halls to find it most prominent in the throne room. Out of every room in the castle, the most feared was the throne room, where Belos now resided. He sat on his golden throne, usually a picture of perfect poise and authority now tilted tiredly resting his head in his hand. Normally the throne sat alone, isolated on a risen platform, a figure of divine power. But now a small golden bassinet stood to the right of Belos's throne. Inside lay a tiny white bundle, it wriggled and turned as loud wails erupted from its small mouth. Belos let out a deep sigh before rising from his throne, he walked forward down the golden steps of his pedal stool. His hands were held rested behind his straight back as he looked forward, a desperate attempt to ignore the small bundle. But this did not stop the child from crying, nothing did. After a moment of false serenity Belos growled breaking his poise demeanor, he turned sharply on his heel marching towards the bassinet. Placing his hands on either side of the cradle he stooped over what lay inside.
" What do you want ." his voice hissed.
The child cried louder and Belos straightened his back once again tilting his head up towards the beating heart that hung above his throne it pulsed wildly as his agitation boiled hotter than the boiling seas. Belos used his index and thumb to rub the bridge of his mask, a low groan rumbled in his throat as he looked back down at the bundle. He was never good with infants, even on earth he never understood the captivation some had for such nuisances. The only purpose they served would not be fulfilled for many years and they were incredibly irksome. Their loud messy behavior was a disruption of the most heinous sort. When he had learned how to create grimwalkers he quickly sought to accelerate their growth. It took many years and many attempts but he was successful in his study. However, despite his distaste for younger pupils, he found he had better results with them. They always seemed more trusting than the older ones, and easier to manipulate, like some form of imprintment that could not be achieved within the older ones. Belos needed a reliable guard, his last attempt had nearly succeeded further than any of the others in their pursuit of betrayal, and he was not making any mistakes with the newest. It had taken much longer to gather supplies for this one than it did in the past, the Selkidomus' had become so reclusive it was thought to be extinct and palistrom wood was becoming scarcer than ever. Even after he had gathered all the supplies there were still many other obstacles. It had been a long time since he had raised one from this young of an age and even then this one came out... wrong. He had come out much earlier than he was supposed to, he was small and weak, a frail little thing. Belos had very little faith he would so much as make it through the night, but the little one had surprised him. In the morning he had a newfound strength within him, Belos was intrigued, he was a fighter, resilient, hunting for what little life he could hold onto. Belos tried very hard to remember what he had done or the other Grimwalkers in times like this, to soothe them. He gently reached down for the small infant, carefully bringing him into his arms. He held the child awkwardly in his arms, but it continued to wail. Belos' frustration was interrupted as one of the coven scouts guarding the door entered.
"Headwitch...Darius Deamonne has arrived your highness," they said formally, careful not to let the shock of the Emperor holding a baby carry through their tone.
"Send him in," Belos said in the balanced voice he used when speaking as the Emporer.
The scout bowed and exited promptly, a moment later both of the doors opened allowing Darius in.
If the scout had any trouble concealing their confusion it was nothing compared to Darius, he had no mask to cover the confused expression on his face.
"Darius Deamonne, newly appointed headwitch of the Abomination coven" Belos had to speak louder than usual to be heard over the crying.
"Yes, your highness" Darius said, bowing slightly.
"As you are aware I will be presenting you with your first assignment as Headwitch, your performance is expected for someone of your proven talents" Darius prepared himself "I nee-"
One of the doors flew open, Darius turned around to see a frantic coven scout looking rather ragged and panting heavily.
"Emperor...Y-you're highness... urgent news...from Latissa" they struggled as they reached an arm out to lean on the door frame.
The Emporer marched forward to the scout at once, barely sparing a glance at the Abomination witch when-
"Hold this," Belos ordered quickly holding out the screaming child for Darius to take.
Darius almost forgot where he was and who he was speaking to as he opened his mouth to protest, but Belos moved so quickly and handled the child so carelessly that Darius thought he might drop the witchling before he could object. Darius took the child under its arms and held them out as far as he could. His shoulders hitched up to his ear as every nerve in his body objected to holding a snotty witchling. The infant's face was deep crimson and glistened with tears running down what little neck it had. Darius sneered as its little hands gripped his wrists tightly. The infant peeked its eyes open to see its new handler when it caught a glimpse of something purple and gooey, the infant began to quiet down until it stared awe-struck at the witch holding him. This only served to put Darius even more on edge. What is it doing, why is it suddenly quiet, what does that mean!? he thought frantically as his eyes widened impossibly more at the small witchling. Unbeknownst to Darius the Emperor had silenced their discussion with the scout at the sudden lack of noise. He gestured for the scout to leave at once.
"How did you do that?" he asked keeping his voice balanced and even
"What?" Darius said only half listening, He had to keep a vigilant eye on the infant who was now reaching their little arms up towards Darius their hands opening and closing. Darius held the infant out further, he couldn't risk their grimy hands touching fine clothes.
Belos did not repeat himself, instead, he fixed a long hard stare on Darius contemplating some decision in their mind.
"You were mentored by the previous Golden Gaurd, am I correct?" He said finally breaking the silence
"Y-yes, Emperor Belos," Darius said trying to keep his voice from wavering.
"As you may not have been aware, the loss of our golden guard was not just one of a beloved guard but of a family member for me" Darius knew, but he wasn't supposed to so he nodded in sympathy to what Belos said.
"As such, I have decided to take in this young child as my ward, but my duties enable me from giving him the care he deserves" Darius took note of how quickly Belos' tone changed from business to that of sympathy. "He appears to have a rather fond attachment to you."
Belos gestured to the infant who was now cooing happily, in Darius' shock he had lowered his arms slightly bringing the child closer, allowing them to ball the hem of his cloak in their little fist, Darius quickly held them out once more causing the cloak to slip from their fingers.
"It seems only fitting that you should be the one to bring up the new generation," Belos said as Darius looked down at the now wrinkled patch on his cloak with utter disgust.
Darius' head snapped back up to look at the Emperor.
"What! Me!-I-I mean, I assure you your highness I am in no way suited for this assignment" Darius backtracked quickly, he may have his strong opinions about children but Emperor Belos had a means of petrification.
The Emperor became silent once again, carefully formulating a sentence in their mind. His icy blue eyes scanned Darius, accessing his fears, his ambitions, and his motives all to know just what to say to get him to do what he wanted.
"Headwitch this child is of most importance to me, the titan himself has revealed to me the big plans he has for him, he will be a most important asset." Belos above all else was a master at manipulation, even the words of affection he spoke had some air of genius puppetry, "I wouldn't trust this responsibility with just anyone, I can rely on you, right?"
Darius opened his mouth to speak but something in those last few words The EMperor spoke made his stomach turn inside out and he choked on his words. After a moment of struggling gibberish, Darius closed his eyes in defeat groaning internally.
"Yes...Emperor Belos"
"Good man," Belos said taking the child into his arm, it still reached out to Darius smiling happily.
"A coven scout will come by your living quarters to supply you with any materials you may require, as well as a debriefing package containing information you will be expected to study, be prepared for your assignment by dawn tomorrow," Belos turned on and walked back to his throne. "You are dismissed"
"Yes, Emperor Belos" Darius said bowing and turning on his heel towards the door.
He walked through the doors but didn't continue after they close, he stared blankly at the wall before he blinked hardly shaking his head.
"What the hell have I gotten into"