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Flowers of gold blossomed underneath his boots so fragile yet beautiful. Emperor Belos tended them with the care of a priest before an altar, though he claimed it was the Titan King’s own voice guiding him. Old magic strained through the cursed glyphs in his arms but slowly came out as naturally as a witch’s own magic would. The red glow of his power spread through the chamber, the shimmering dust settling into each petal before seeping deeper and deeper…..He waited patiently, this routine all too old after four centuries…..
thump, thump
It grew louder till finally he felt the familiar response of magic even older than him accept the offering. Older flowers were identified, those that could no longer stand the combined magic of a mortal and god combined were removed. Below, now seen with the removed flowers was what resembled muscle. Rhythmic movements synchronized with the echoed ‘thump’ of the room while a soft red glow went through it. The red later disappears into soft valves that distribute across the entire body, this corpse witches and demons lived on. The land Belos ruled over.
As tired as he was now he smiled, taking a seat on the patch of golden flowers. Nearby was red grass that swayed slightly from the wind that got inside. It was a greenhouse, a clever disguise suggested by the Head Coven Witches Terra and Mason. His subordinates were clever indeed…..he sat there pondering as a tune came to him…
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The stranger he met not too long ago was during his travels, the one whom he acquainted himself with more than he should told him this: “For when the grass is the reddest and the forest of the Isles are the quietest, let us meet again here where Titanitos’ skull is the clearest amidst the fog.” Philip should have honestly taken more caution of this demon. Wearing the finest robes that would make the Imperial Majesties wish for more blue blood to be dyed into their silks to ever compare. Jewels not meant for show but practicality hung from this stranger like vines. Chains connected to clocks, knives, potion brews, and enchanted crystals. To pin more to this demon, they always hid their face behind a thick red veil. All he knew of him was that he bore four great horns like a natural crown he was born with.
To say he felt underdressed beside the other was an understatement. He already stood out as the only human to roam freely around the Boiling Isles, what more beside this show off? “Why so tense human?” the demon asks suddenly, slightly hunched to be able to accommodate the height of Philip. “H-human?! Whatever do you mean?! I-I never…” The need to brush off his brown hair suddenly became a priority, fingers gliding through the wavy strands, its low ponytail only getting more undone
“Your writing I admit, does not reflect your confidence….but fear not, we are on a name to name basis thus no need for such hostility” the veiled beast gestured for Philip to take a seat beside him. Below them were hundreds of golden flowers, the grass just as red as the beast told him. “We’re on a name to name basis?” he snorted, bridging his knees to his chest, white and gold robes pooling around him “Why of course we are Philip~” “H-HOW-” His claws could easily slice his face from chin to forehead within seconds yet somehow it felt gentle on him specifically.
“Val’rius”
“W-what?-”
“Call me Val’rius”
Philip looked up, blue eyes sharpening in its gaze directly towards the black furred demon dressed like a prince “and you aren’t lying?” A pregnant pause followed, as if even the isles were curious of his answer. Finally, what felt like ages Val’rius replied with that ancient soft voice: “of course”
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The Emperor chuckled weakly, brushing away strands of ash blonde away from his tear stained cheeks. Below, the heart of Titanitos pumped more slowly, the isles calming in its chaos as golden flowers wilt beneath him. Bringing his knees to his chest, he looked down as if to face Him one last time, whispering to his lost lover—
“Liar”