Chapter Text
Syzoth had lost track of how long he had been sifting through the archives in Empress Mileena's palace. It was something he had been doing every night as of late, though he rarely ever found anything that was of any use. Perhaps I overlooked something, he often justified to himself. No matter how often he looked though, he was always met with the same records.
The longer he poured over the documents, the thinner his patience wore. Of course there are no records of Zaterran history here, Syzoth thought to himself, bitter. That would make too much sense.
There were rows and rows of documents detailing taxes collected from Zaterran citizens and debts owed by the Zaterran government but little else. No copy of their laws and inner workings. Certainly nothing detailing any prior existence of any shapeshifters. Syzoth felt as though he was losing his mind. That was how he knew it was time to retire to his chamber. With a defeated sigh, he returned all the records to their appropriate shelves and exited the archive.
The conspiracy Syzoth had uncovered had consumed many of his waking thoughts and some of his dreams. He had grown up knowing the people of Zaterra hated him, wanted him dead, but this was far worse than he could ever have imagined. The thought of it, that the nonshapeshifters were so hateful that they would go out of their way to create policies to satisfy their hate, was enough to make Syzoth's stomach churn. How many families have been torn apart, how many innocent men, women, and hatchlings have been killed because of this malicious prejudice? In Syzoth's eyes, these levels of depravity rivaled that of Shang Tsung. He was at a loss for what to do. No one in Zaterra was going to help him figure out who was behind this. As much as he appreciated Her Majesty's support, he doubted that she understood the inner workings of Zaterra enough to be of any help either. Not to mention the abyssmal lack of resources that Edenia had to offer.
Footsteps that echoed with purpose pulled Syzoth out of his thoughts and he glanced down the hall to see who it was walking in his direction. A pale woman with short white hair clad in gold and gray was walking down the hall adjacent to him, glancing at him briefly with her silver eyes but keeping her pace even as she continued her patrol. This was one of the Umgadi who swore an oath to protect the crown. A rush of excitement coursed through him at the sight of this particular Umgadi and he decided to follow after her.
"Pardon me," he said, causing her to stop and turn to face him. "Forgive me for disturbing you," he began, speaking in the series of hisses and whispers of Zaterran. "but I have been greatly looking forward to meeting you. My name is Syzoth."
The Umgadi stared at Syzoth with confusion, then with nervousness. "Apologies...you speak in a tongue I do not understand."
Syzoth's eyebrows raised as embarrassment rushed to his face. He waved a dismissive hand. "No no, please forgive me for making assumptions." Syzoth took a deep breath. In hindsight, it should have been obvious to him that an Umgadi raised away from Zaterra wouldn't speak Zaterran. "I was just saying that I have been looking forward to meeting another Zaterran shapeshifter," he said with a smile. "My name is Syzoth"
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Syzoth," she said with a small, respectful nod of her head. Though her mouth was obscured by a mask, the crinkle in the corners of her eyes told him she was smiling in return. "I am Khameleon." A small frown etched itself into her features. "Though you should know...I am Saurian, not Zaterran."
"Oh." Embarassment once again rushed to Syzoth's face, though he also couldn't help but be disappointed. "Once again, my sincerest apologies."
Khameleon gave him a sympathetic smile. "Not at all. I am still happy to meet one of my reptiloid brothers all the same."
Syzoth returned a polite smile. "As am I, to meet a reptiloid sister."
"I must return to my post," Khameleon said as she turned away. "but I hope that we can be friends."
"We shall be," Syzoth responded. "Good night, Khameleon."
"Good night." He turned around to walk off as she did. It saddened Syzoth to imagine being in Khameleon's position, raised away from her people and not learning anything of her language and culture. It saddened him for her sake and for his own. He would have very much liked to have a friend who connected to their roots in Zaterra the same way he did.
As Syzoth paced down the hall, a bump to his side stopped him in his tracks, causing the other person, an elder man with white hair and facial hair, to fall back. Syzoth was quick to get down to help him. "My apologies, I wasn't looking where I was going," he said.
"Syzoth?" the man looked at him with a confused frown.
Syzoth's eyebrows knit as he helped the man stand up. "Yes..." His jade eyes passed over the man's form as he tried and failed to remember where they have seen each other before. He did not strike Syzoth as familiar. "...Forgive me, but...have we met?"
The man looked at Syzoth with confusion, then gave him a dismissive smile. "You might remember me from the most recent gala hosted by Her Majesty."
Syzoth thought back but still, he could not recall. "...I see..."
The man began to back away. "Take care, my boy. Have a good night!" He left before Syzoth could ask anymore questions. Syzoth stared after him with confusion and noted that he would have to talk to palace security just in case.
Syzoth sat in the meeting room with Empress Mileena and Archduke Mahazzem as they discussed official business. He normally took his job mediating and facilitating these discussions seriously but today his mind was elsewhere. With his head resting on his propped up fist, he idly looked over Mahazzem form before his gaze wandered over to the window. It was difficult for him to pay attention while he was wracking his brain for solutions to this conspiracy dilemma he had. It did not help that he hadn't slept well in the past few days.
"Meeting adjourned for now," Mileena said, pulling Syzoth's attention to her. She and Mahazzem stood up, and Syzoth was quick to follow suit.
"You've been generous as always, Your Majesty," Mahazzem said with a pleased growl, his good mood emphasized by the gentle swaying of the tip of his tail. "I will retire for now but we can continue to discuss this new policy later." Syzoth and Mileena watched him slink out of the room.
Just as Syzoth was about to follow suit, he was stopped when Mileena shut the door. She stood in front of it with her arms crossed. "Alright, out with it."
Syzoth stared at her with confusion. "I beg your pardon?"
"You are normally more attentive than this," Mileena pointed out. "Something is on your mind."
Syzoth glanced to the side, nervousness bubbling up inside him. He wasn't sure how to answer.
Mileena looked at him with concern. "If you will not answer your queen, then at least answer your friend," she implored. "If something is troubling you, I want to know about it."
Syzoth sighed. "Forgive me, Your Majesty." He shook his head. "Rest assured, I am alright. I am simply tired is all."
"You've not been sleeping well?" she further pushed.
Syzoth pressed his lips together. "I have been spending my evenings in the archives as of late." His gaze wandered to the side. "I have been trying to find out anything I could about Zaterran history that would be useful while investigating this conspiracy."
"I see," she said. "Have you found anything like that, at least?"
Syzoth was silent as he shook his head.
Mileena thought about this for a moment. "Would you like me to ask Archduke Mahazzem to he-"
"No," Syzoth immediately said before feeling embarassed. "...thank you." Mileena remained silent and stared at Syzoth with confusion. "I don't trust Mahazzem," he hesitantly admitted in a whisper. "What if he had something to do with it?"
Another beat of silence passed between them before Mileena sighed. "Give me time to think about this more." She looked at him with sympathy. "I can only imagine how difficult this all has been for you. But I want you to know you have the Crown's full support. We will bring these thugs to justice."
Syzoth smiled and nodded before bowing. "Thank you, Your Majesty."