Chapter Text
(It had been 2 months since Cuphead and Mugman defeated the devil. After that event, the devil retreated back to hell with his imps and has never been seen since, and hell knows what happened to his good-for-nothing lackey of King Dice.)
(It's a peaceful day in Inkwell isle, the cup brothers and their guardian, Elder Kettle, were outside their home.)
(Cuphead was playing and doing some tricks with a ball as the ever-active porcelain child he is, while Mugman was reading on the bench next to Elder Kettle)
Elder Kettle : ... Mugman, why don't you play with your brother?
Mugman : oh, uhm... I don't want to play.
(The blue mug closes the book and puts it on his lap)
Mugman : I wanted to ask you something for... a while.
Elder Kettle : what is it, my boy?
Mugman : ever heard of... the Calix Animi?
(Everything gets quiet, even Cuphead stopped playing)
Cuphead : wait what?
Mugman : what?
Cuphead : you didn't think of asking months ago??
Mugman : I tried to but-
Elder Kettle : boys! Boys, calm down...
(Both of them shut up as the old Kettle raised his voice)
Elder Kettle : .... what do you want to know about the Calix Animi, Mugman?
Mugman : everything! What is it? Where did it come from? And why-
(Elder Kettle raises his hand in patience)
Elder Kettle : I will tell you, but it's a long tale.
Cuphead : ugh, of course it is....
Mugman : Cuphead, this is serious matter, of course it doesn't have a short answer.
Elder Kettle : *ahem* if I may...
(Cuphead rolls his eyes and sits on a tree stump near them)
Elder Kettle : the Calix Animi is a clan that existed for hundreds of years. A clan where all cup-folk and kettle-folk pledge loyalty to its gods with their souls.
Mugman : so... it's like a religion?
Elder Kettle : more than just a religion, my boy. It was a whole culture and community of cup-folk who knew magic unlike any other. The Calix was the first ever to discover life after death and how to come back to life
(Cuphead's eyes widen in realization)
Cuphead : wait, so the whole "slap a ghost back to life" thing was invented YEARS AGO?
Elder Kettle : indeed! Many thought they were immortal because of it, and with such magic, there came alchemy.
Cuphead : what's that?
Mugman : it's potion-making with science, Cups
Cuphead : oooh, like the one we used to make our finger guns!
Elder Kettle : yes, that same potion is of Calix origin!
Mugman : woah....
Cuphead : so, they were warriors, alchemists and what more did they do?
Elder Kettle : well, every cup had a different story. Some were farmers, some were architects... just like everyone nowadays, they had their own life and work.
Cuphead : still, being in a really cool warrior clan with Gods and magic sound awesome!
(.... Mugman was quiet)
Elder Kettle : you look deep in thought, Mugman....
Mugman : oh-! Uh... I'm just thinking...
Cuphead : share with the class, what is it?
Mugman : ... about the Legendary Chalice...
Elder Kettle : ah, her....
(The old Kettle rubs his chin in thought)
Cuphead : oh yeaaaah... heard she was a cool warrior lady- or somethin'...
Mugman : riiiight, like those tales written in the haunted temples...
(Cuphead looks at Mugman and Mugman looks at him the same way, hoping that Elder Kettle doesn't suspect they know about her or, hell, MET her in her ghostly presence)
Elder Kettle : and indeed, she was. She was the general of the warriors of Calix Animi, and many said she was a goddess of war.
Cuphead : wait- WHAAAAAT??
Mugman : so... she was a goddess?
Elder Kettle : well, nobody quite knows...
(Suddenly, the wind blows coldly, announcing that it's evening already.)
(Elder Kettle stands up and turn to the cup boys)
Elder Kettle : let's go inside, boys, It's almost dinner time.
Cuphead & Mugman : yes, Elder Kettle!
(The three go inside their house, leaving outside nothing but the cold. But before closing the door, Mugman took one last look outside... a terrible plan is hatching in his smart, little mind)