Chapter Text
The king sat and watched as his advisor, Olivia, rushed the small human away. He chuckled to himself, his heart warmed with the thoughts of the interaction. It was the first time in years he had felt a connection form. However, this relief and fondness soon faded as his body was hurled back. The world turned dim as he found himself surrounded by never-ending darkness. He knew what this meant, he knew what the Core wanted. Its orange eyes snapped open in front of where he stood, and he tried not to flinch in front of the creature.
“Kill the girl! She is a threat to everything we hope to accomplish. If the prophecy comes true, it will ruin everything we have built. If this happens, you will never join us, living as a disgrace to our family name.” The creature spat, its mind invading the kings. Its cold tendrils slowly caressed his thoughts. For he couldn’t hide anything, the Core knew everything.
“Kill her! Now? But we still don’t know where the box is.” Andrias tried to plead. He already grew fond of the girl, her spirit reminding him of his own. He didn’t want her death on his hands, he already gave so much to listen to the dark creature.
“DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND! KEEPING HER ALIVE MAKES THE PROPHECY MORE DANGEROUS!” The creature's eyes widened as it hissed while yelling at the foolish king. His incompetence shone through again, revealing his weakness to the Core. The creature launched itself slightly upwards, trying to appear more menacing.
“It’s true, the old prophecy makes keeping her alive risky.” Andrias shifted his hands slightly, assuming a careless posture, which the Core did not appreciate. There were many shouts of annoyance, some loud and others whispered. “But she’s just a child, perhaps all of this is overblown.”
The Core did not like this, springing forward to come closer to the king's face, its voice echoing with anger and some disappointment. Maybe it could use this to its advantage, to solve the internal debate of keeping Andrias or discarding the useless newt. “If we are not to extinguish the girl, then what? ” The faces behind the luminous orange eyes smiled as the test was set. “ What do you propose Andrias?”
The king was surprised that the Core asked for his opinion, but he eagerly took the opportunity. “What do I propose.” Andrias started walking away, turning from the piercing eyes, humming to himself. He didn’t want Marcy dead, but he couldn't refuse the Core. He racked his brain for possible solutions for this dilemma, allowing silence to fill the air. “In studying the ancient writings it appears there is a ritual that allows these chosen heroes to give up their ability and the responsibility that comes with them. Why not befriend this Marcy and lure her friends here where we will siphon their powers away? Neutralize the prophecy.”Andrias was delighted with himself. This was a solid plan, and the Core presumably will accept it. Which means he won’t have to annihilate the girl. Annihilate his dignity.
The Core, however, was unimpressed. There were too many loopholes that could be exploited. The minds were frustrated with Andrias's approach to addressing the impending threat of the prophecy. They believed that their way would be more efficient and foolproof. Despite already setting the test, they were willing to make some adjustments to the plan. Nonetheless, this was a test for Aldrich's son. Therefore, they tasked Aldrich with the job of talking to his son.
The creature shifted in the mindscape, morphing into the father that Andrias yearned to please. The doppelganger grinned, placing their right hand on Andrias’s shoulder and speaking with a single, unmistakable voice instead of numerous overlaying voices.“And restore our legacy all in one fell swoop .” Andrias looked back his face conflicted, he felt uneasiness. His mind trying to cloak his true preferences. “ Well done Andrias. The plan was amazing….”
“Was?” Andiras couldn’t stop the plummet he felt deep in his chest. What did he do wrong? Did the Core see his defilement?
“We just have a concern.”Aldrich's voice turned cold, his eyes becoming hard. One could almost see disappointment in the hollow gaze of the doppelganger.
Andrias tensed at the comment. He knew convincing the Core was a long shot, and their rejection was no surprise. “What is it, my lord?” He refused to call his father by name. Knowing the others were listening in. Some might even say maybe some of it was anger. Anger of a child, who became an adult too fast. Anger towards a parent, who saw no wrong in their actions. Whatever the reason may be, Andrais refused to call him by name.
“Your plan will restore the power we need. But. ” The giant newt paused his hand lifting from Andrias as he stepped back. Rubbing his chin as if in deep thought. “ This could go bad. We need a failsafe.”
The plan had already been formulated in the Core's mind. It enjoyed teasing the King, making him feel like his input actually mattered so that he would not question the Core's intentions.
Andrias on the other hand turned to face his father. Even after years after his father's death, he still could not shake his presence. The forever scrutinizing eyes eternally staring him down. “What kind of failsafe.” He asked, scared of what the response could be. What it could bring for the small human.
“We have been entrapped in this metal body for so long. Unable to feel the world around us. We can only see so much through your crown and our spies. ” Andrias’s heart stopped. He understood what the Core was implying. Or at least, his mind created the fabrication of what it could be suggesting. Even so, he hoped he was wrong. “ Maybe Marcy could be more… useful to us.”
“What if her friends catch on? Surely they will notice the difference if you inhabited the body?” Andrias tried not to sound desperate, but his heart was racing. This wasn’t physical death, but it was just as bad. The Core’s influence would forever taint her soul.
“Then we will stay hidden in the dark of her mind. Hiding from plain view but very much conscious. ” The newt smiled, the multiple eyes scrunching up at the movement. “ If the plan fails, then we will take control. Removing the other stones… our way.”
Andrias felt ill, he was trying to fight on the child’s behalf and it turned into something far worse. She would become a puppet, if not to kill her friends. Then to be the Core’s host after the plan is completed. “But she isn’t worthy to enter the Core!” He tried his voice raising, even pleading.
“She is Wit. When she is fully simulated into the Core her infusion may be of value to us. ” There was no way for the king to try and persuade the creature otherwise. He nodded limply, his eyes evading the orange glare. “ Perfect. Have her ready. We start the process immediately, then wait to see if your plan succeeds.”
Black cords of metal came out of the surrounding darkness encircling Aldrich. Then pulled him back, back into the shadows enveloping the dead king.
Andrias finally let out the breath he didn't know he was holding in. Cold sweat beaded down his neck, making him uncomfortable. He sighed to himself, questioning where his morals lay. This was dangerous; he could not fight the Core. If he did, there would be dire consequences, and he might not live another breath.
Maybe things will be better in the future. Maybe then he wouldn't have the overwhelming guilt gnawing at his heart. Maybe then he wouldn't be so lonely.