Chapter Text
Xelqua was sprinting through a courtyard, his feet hitting the black bricks with a thud. His heart pounded and his back hurt... he didn't know what to do, he didn't know where to go.
According to the Watchers, Xelqua was always the type to run. All the other times he had heard it, Xelqua assumed it had only been in a joking matter. But this time, it wasn't... and he hated himself for proving them right. But what else could he do? He had already discovered that fighting back was a waste of energy...
So he did all he knew how to,
Run.
── .✦
Xelqua woke with a start, head pounding and he let out a panicked sob..
That was the third nightmare Xelqua had had this week...
Xelqua groaned, flopping back onto his bed. He curled in on himself, pulling his blanket around him as he tried not to cry. It's fine, I'm fine, everything is gonna be fine- he thought to himself, but whether or not he actually believed it was a different matter...
He blinked back tears for a few moments before rolling onto his back and looking up at the ceiling. He did his best to calm his breathing as he thought of the day ahead of him...
Deciding he felt better, Xelqua sat back up and kicked his legs off his bed, standing up and stretching.
"By the Watchers, I have a lot to do today..." he muttered to himself, rubbing his eyes. "Best I get ready, then.."
── .✦
Xelqua looked at himself in the mirror as he readjusted his jester cap one last time, grinning as the jingle of the many bells he had donned filled the room.
And y'know what? Putting past the events of earlier this morning, Xelqua's day had gone pretty well -- and he felt confident. Euphoric, even. Other days he would feel insecure of his eye bags or tooth gap, but not today. He felt charismatic! Charming! That was what a jester was supposed to be like, right?
He smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes and took a step back, cocking his head like a puppy and grinning once more.
Then, in one smooth motion, Xelqua turned on his heel -- sprinting out the door and launching himself into the sky. Magic crackled in the air as he soared -- large wings flapping to the beat of his heart. The wind ripped past him, and Xelqua's grin grew even larger as he flipped and turned in the air.
Just in front of him, the fortress of Atrium Castelli, one of the main districts of the Watcher's civilization, rose in the distance -- obsidian and bedrock towers stretching as far as the eye could reach. The faint, purple glow of the bedrock made the buildings outside of the main fortress pop against the void of the end. Xelqua was at peace... and today, he had been truly happy.
So Xelqua hovered in the air for a few moments -- the only sounds he could hear were the flapping of his wings and the distant roars of the Ender Dragon. He couldn't help but feel proud of his Watcher status... the Watchers; guides for the players and beacons of prosperity. He would lay down his life for these beings; why wouldn't he? Xelqua knew nothing but the kindness of the Watchers. The Watchers were known throughout every server, and for good reason! It was them and them alone that the players even had updates in the first place!
Xelqua smiled, before folding in his wings and-
falling.
The peaceful moment that Xelqua was in just seconds before was long gone, and that all too familiar grin plastered his face yet again. The wind tore at anything it could reach, and Xelqua tumbled and turned in the air -- fits of giggles erupting from him. He soon saw the ground, and stretched his wings wide to catch in the air. Xelqua's stomach lurched as he righted himself, and he slowly set foot on the ground -- a purple spark of magic lighting up the black brick floor just for show.
Xelqua rested his hands on his legs and panted, ignoring the side eyes and concerned glances from passerbys. I've done it! That's gotta be my best landing yet- perfect, no broken bones, nothing! Haha, let's go... today is off to a splendid start!! Xelqua thought to himself, opening his eyes and throwing out his arms to stretch.
"Well!" He called out after a few more seconds, a small crowd already beginning to appear around him. "I guess I have a show to do~"
── .✦
Xelqua grinned and took a bow, catching his juggling balls with one clean motion.
"Thank you, thank you!!" He giggled, genuine happiness radiating from the jester standing before the crowd.
The crown soon dispersed, but Xelqua couldn't help but grin again as he noticed the hum of excitement that seemed to follow him wherever he went. He felt pride in himself! A toothy smile split across his face as he eyed the skies once more, his wings unfolding from his magic once more. The jester cocked his body back, leaning on his left leg as he concentrated, before pushing himself forward and launching himself upwards -- wings spreading and clothing flying wildly in the wind.
Gosh, Xelqua loved flying so much... how could he not? Of course, other than the pride and powers that come with being a Watcher, being able to fly was one of the best things about it!
── .✦
After landing on a paved courtyard, the jester roamed the sprawling streets of this city. Although the Watcher civilization was based in The End, various different cities and settlements could be found throughout the great expanse. Atrium Castelli was where Xelqua lived and worked - a network of marketplaces, medieval-style homes, and vast forests and farmlands all surrounding the main fortress. Xelqua was lucky, as he was the court jester, to live in the fortress. However, others such as the Protectors, mages, and most importantly the Monarch of Atrium Castelli - the Watcher known as Omicron.
If he was being honest with himself, Xelqua didn't really think Atrium Castelli needed the Protectors. After all, what would there be to protect against? The Players couldn't even reach The End, or at least not the dimension the Watchers lived in, and any other Watcher citizens would never even dream of doing anything to disrupt or destroy the carefully planned balance of Omicron's rule.
Either way, Xelqua was glad he was the jester. He was so lucky! Bringing cheer to every Watcher was what made Xelqua happy! And of course, it didn't come without benefits such as the aforementioned perk of living in the fortress, but also - not to brag - Xelqua was practically the right hand of Omicron! Well, not exactly, but Xelqua was certain he gave the Monarch extremely valuable jokes and feedback. As any jester should.
Xelqua thought all of this as he made his way to the fortress, mindlessly humming a tune he likely heard somewhere else. He brushed out his clothing, making sure to smooth out any wrinkle as he walked across the entryway to the fortress, a soft jingle coming from his hat. Xelqua let out a small giggle.
The large double doors opened with a groan, and the subtle purple lighting and the not-so-subtle smell of magic floating around in the main hall practically smacked Xelqua in the face as he made his way inside.
As expected, Omicron sat at His throne lazily, swirling something around in His purple goblet.
"Ah!" Omicron chuckled, body language shifting as Xelqua knelt before him. "Bah, get off the floor... what was it, Xe.... Xestri?"
"Xelqua, sir." The jester said with a light scoff.
"Right, right. Well, either way, I would like for you to come with me, Xestri. I have something to discuss with you."
Xelqua looked up, a sparkle in his eyes.
── .✦
"So... you want me to go to the Capital?" Xelqua repeated, after Omicron had pulled him aside to 'discuss something with him'.
Omicron nodded. "And don't take your time. The rest of the Council is assigning you a very important mission that must be seen to extremely shortly."
Xelqua shifted nervously. A calling from the Council? Going to the Capital? Xelqua hadn't gone to the Capital for a long time - he usually just stayed in Atrium Castelli. After all, what business would he have in the Capital, anyway? As useful as he was to this city of the end, the Capital surely didn't need anything from him, right? And the Council, the Council! They were the most important and respected Watchers, in fact - they were the original ones, and the ones who built the Watcher civilization in the first place! Sure, Omicron was a member of the Council - but so was every fuler of the main cities. But these guys were the real deal! Xelqua couldn't help but be a bit nervous...
"Well?" Omicron said, interrupting the jester's train of thought. "You should set off before the Dragon's last call." He looked around. "I imagine that is quite soon."
The jester nodded, but he was cut off when Omicron lurched forward - grabbing Xelqua's arm and speaking directly into his ears.
"And do hurry, jester boy. Epsilon and Theta do not like to be kept waiting."