Alador hummed to himself as he looked over the island. "So many flora. From adrongia terrificus to biocroten mold." Usually they were scattered all over the titan, but here they seemed all … clumped together. It was strange, fascinating, curious, and beautiful.
It was rare for Alador to get the chance to explore and examine new parts of the world, but with Oldalia being extra demanding on developing new uses for abominations, certain exceptions were allowed to be made.
"Would you hurry it along? If we stay out here too long the Boiling Rain will do us in." The woman in question complained. It was a good argument, a lot of the samples would be destroyed in the rain if they were too slow. Too bad he knew far too well that it was mainly Oldalia complaining.
Both of them were of mutual understanding. What they had was mainly a marriage of convenience. He built whatever he wanted with as much creative freedom as possible, and she sold the products. Though that didn't come without Oldalia's ideas of what a family should be.
The more work he put into the business, the less she focused on molding the children. Sure, he might have missed a moment here and there, but it was better than the alternative, Amity already lost her friend. The last thing the world needed was for three more Oldalia's to pop up. "Just a second dear, the development of the land outside of the known Boiling Isles is quite fascinating.."
The ecosystem was somehow very similar despite less room to grow, how could such a thing come to be? Was there fertile ground popping up from underneath the boiling sea, empowered by the heat to grow? Or was it some form of invasive species that became a native through mainstaying? It was so wonderful, and exciting and … and … and Alador stopped thinking as he moved past a tree. "... Odalia?"
"What is it now?" She asked in a 'done' tone.
"Are you sure this land is uncharted?" He asked,
"Yes, two of our scout ships were lost at sea trying to find it in this insufferable fog."
"Well, I believe I just found civilization." He pointed to the temple in front of him, covered in old text and drawings. It looked ancient, far beyond even the most barbaric temples from the Boiling Isles. "The runes, the structure, it could very well be hundreds of years old, maybe older than civilization on the Boiling Isles." The historical significance alone was invaluable.
"Unless it leads to a chamber of untouched treasures, you shouldn't bother, honey. Blight Industries is about developing the future, not getting lost in the past."
Alador saw a few drops of Boiling Rain out of the corner of his eye. "It does have necessary cover."
"I don't even know why I indulge you sometimes." His wife rolled her eyes as they entered. They looked over the strange architect, noticing small statues. "It seems they weren't very intelligent."
"I … have to agree." He muttered. "These are simplistic, just rocks piled together. Too simplistic considering the rest of this place. It doesn't match up." Different species? Culture clash? "Perhaps isolation from the outside world devolved their intelligence. The paintings on the wall indicate something with higher brain power." Mainly what looked like a might horned beast commanding armies.
"Size isn't everything." Oldalia noted. He turned to his wife, giving her body a once over. "... Something to say?"
"Nothing." They were more business partners than a married couple anyways, best not to dwell on the lack of….physical satisfaction.
Oldalia just rolled her eyes and looked around. "If anything, we might be able to use the unclaimed land to set up that second factory we've needed to build."
He nodded. Alador may have been fascinated, but unless there was anything truly worthwhile to justify keeping this place around, he wasn't going to stay that way. Temples, statues, bricks, statue trying to kill him, bugs crawling-
Alador raised his hand, enveloping the thing in abomination muck. "... What … are you?" He asked, curiosity bubbling inside of him as it tried to cut its way out of the trap with fervent desperation.
A silent gaze was thrown at him from the crescent headed creature, before its arms slashed through the gunk in a rapidly spinning motion, now attempting to launch at Oldalia.
"Alador! Do something! I am NOT going to die in a filthy hole like this!"
"I am." He lazily responded, slamming it against the wall and rebinding it. "I'm studying this fascinating creation." That goo forming its body wasn't an abomination … no, it seemed more wild, yet strangely … robotic in its violence. Biological mechanics… He could spend weeks, MONTHS, tearing it apart for clues.
"Could you rip it apart now and study it when we're back home, I am not going to risk getting eaten by some loathsome creature unless it becomes a good PR move."
"Weeh!" … The two of them turned to a small … thing staring up at them. "Wehh!"
"Great, not only is this place dirty and has a terrifying … abominable creature trying to kill us, it's full of stray cats too." Oldalia rolled her eyes.
"I don't think it's a cat … or anything demon I've seen before, look at the paintings." He pointed to the wall, which depicted a similar creature, but bigger.
"So what is it then?" She asked.
"It's … new." He blinked. "I don't think this creature exists anywhere in the Boiling Isles." Truly something new and unknown.
His wife looked down at the creature gazing up at them. "... So, an exotic pet."
"I mean, that's one way to look at it, but-"
"A rare, exotic, perhaps even extinct species that only the top of the top, such as us, the illustrious Blight Family, could hope to have?"
"Perhaps, but there are many other potential-"
"Oh it's coming with us." She picked up the creature, and for some reason the statue seemed even MORE aggressive at that. Curious, yet worrying.
=======================================================================
Kikimora looked down at her hands, weakly chuckling. "How broke do you have to be to be unable to afford to get drunk?" Then again, it's not like she had much of a motivation for a job.
How would someone when they were kicked out of the Emperor's Coven? That usually meant the death sentence on most occasions, since the job was supposed to be for LIFE. She gave up everything for this! She backstabbed all her friends, cut off all ties to her family, poisoned the competition, and did everything she was told!
Heck, even STEVE was still in the Emperor's Coven. STEVE!! And he was the most useless man she ever had the displeasure of knowing! Yet they were still working while she … was kicked out! KICK OUT! KICK OUT OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS POSITION THAT EXISTED ON THE ISLES! AND THE REASON?!
The exact words from Lilith's mouth, from Terra snapdragon, and from Belos himself 'Your voice is annoying'.....THAT WAS IT! That's why years of hard work and dedication hinged on… the tolerance of her vocal cords! It didn't matter that she was skilled, loyal, ruthless, or cunning. No, that all failed in the face of an annoying voice! If that was the fucking case, WHY DIDN'T THEY BANISH THE FUCKING GOLDEN GUARD?! There was a whole running gag of him having an annoying voice!
So, now that Kikimora knew all her life she'd be a useless bit of dust in the wind, unable to make it anywhere, with all her dreams crushed into powder, she simply sat in the back of an alley, alone, waiting for either the heat or starvation to kill her. Whichever came first. After all, she was just trash right? So trash should toss itself out, that would be useful. "Titan why….if you didn't want me to exist, then why was I born?"
"That's why I've been asking myself all my life." Turning her head, she saw what appeared to be a young child with shaggy hair with hints of blue across his skin. "Sadly the universe has yet to give me an answer."
"... I'd say 'this corner is taken', but what's the point?" She rolled her eyes. "Okay, how do you want to handle this? Bare hands? Shanking? Or mutual cannibalism?" It's not like they'd get any other meal.
"Cannibawhat now?" The boy in the long blue shirt asked.
"Oh, your young and naive… useful tidbit for the future." So that means he likely wasn't a threat to her at all. "So… you're a failure too I presume?" Kikimora groaned as she sat down next to the small raggedy child.
"No, just unwanted." He responded. "Found a door in the cabin I was sleeping in, thought something cool would be there… it lied to me." The boy lightly pounded his head against the wall. "Not needed where I'm from, so I figured, why not stay here? At least people will have an excuse to not know I exist."
"Good moto, fresh start." Kikimora nodded. "So, what was your malfunction?"
"My what now?"
"Why did your parents decide to say 'screw you, you're worthless'?" The woman clarified. "Apparently I had an annoying voice and never showed up to dinner."
"Oh … well, mom's dead, never knew her." The child shrugged. "Lived in my dad's van, but he's … a mess so to speak…"
"Drunk asshole?" She finished for him.
"He does drink a lot of fancy looking bottles." The boy nodded in surprise. "How'd you know?"
"Common with most adults. If you're a mess, then that means you're either an alcoholic, a drug addict, or terrible with romance."
"Heh … that kind of explains my … aunts.." The boy looked to the side. "They tried looking out for me, taking me on 'missions' of grave importance …but it was only because they're scared of me. They thought if I had something to do, I wouldn't grow up wanting to drown everyone that looked at me funny."
"Everyone grows up to be dangerous, kid. That's life working as intended." She rolled her eyes. "Your aunts sound like crazy demented morons if anything."
"First person to say that." He muttered. "So now I'm gone …"
"Well welcome to Ribtown." Kikimora gestured to the sky. "Where no one cares if you end up dead … a perfect place for nobodies like us." She slumped into the trash. "Side note, the pick up for trash comes on wednesdays, and the shank masters come on thursday. I'm liable to use you as a living meat shield for the latter." Kid deserved to know what to expect if he stayed here.
"That's fair." He nodded. "Probably the most help I've given anyone." Huh, at least he seemed amicable. "Wait… isn't today thursday?"
"Hey you two! Whataya doing in our alley!" Three burly looking witches came walking up to them.
"I claimed this Alley a week ago." She pointed to her name, carved in blood. "If you want it, kill me for it." Preferably quickly, just to end it all.
"Don't worry, I'm the meat shield, I'll handle this." The boy cracked his neck. "So do you want to die quickly or painfully?"
"Kid, I don't think you understand the concept of a meat shield." She deadpanned.
The witch rolled his eyes. "I'll tell you what, let's see what you do quickly. I'll humor you." The others chuckled.
"Alright." They raised their hand, pulling back … as every blood vessel exploded "What about you two?" The boy asked, completely ignoring as the corpse fell back.
"HOW THE FUC-" The second one was frozen in place, the blood from the dead one covering their entire body and actually becoming ice.
"Blood is just water, and you demon witch things are full of them apparently." The boy said, before pushing the man over…and shattering him to pieces. "So, quickly or painfully for you buddy?" He asked the last one.
"MOOOMMMMMMMYYYYY!" The last one ran away.
"And that's that." He muttered, sitting back. "Time to wait for death and starvation."
"...HOW DID YOU DO THAT!?" Kikimora had to get an explanation.
"Oh, my mom controlled the water, so I do too." That was all he explained.
"But, but, but that level of elemental control, that takes years for even the strongest of witches!" She exclaimed.
"... I don't follow. It's just controlling water, not magic." He shrugged.
"...WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S NOT MAGIC!?"
He lifted his shirt, showing off a strange rock on his back. "I get everything from here. A bit of extra muscle, and everything involving water … you can have it if you want." They offered. "All it's done is give me trouble. No friends, no home, no family …"
"Child, you're on the Boiling Isles… a realm on an island where we're surrounded by Boiling WATER!" She explained.
"Which probably makes me even more of a freak." They deadpanned. "If you're gonna kill me, could you not rub it in?" Geesh, Kiki thought she had self-worth issues … but there was a great opportunity to be had here.
"Child, that doesn't make you a freak… that makes you one of the strongest beings in this world, a virtual force of nature!" She tried to explain.
"But what's the point of being strong if people hate you for it?" He asked. "Like I said, even my aunts just stick around cause they're scared."
"Whatever backwater world you came from, wherever that was … that's not this place … here, in the Boiling Isles … power is everything to a witch." She shook his shoulders. "Power garners respect, admiration! They won't hate you for your power … they'll love you for it."
He looked baffled. "...They'll love me?" There was so much desperate hope within that voice.
"Yes, they'll love you, and I can help!" She offered. "You're above sleeping in alley's, laying on the trash. With your power and my guidance, we can build you up into something amazing! Some truly spectacular, something that this world's never seen!"
"R-really?" He questioned.
"Yes … in fact, let me start off on one of those dreams." Time to clench this hook, line, and sinker. Kikimora hugged the child. "I'll be your mom."
"My…" The boy's body shook, a light tear coming out of his eyes. "I…I…"
"Sssh, you don't have to say anything. I'll be here, to answer any question you have, to guide you… or to just hug you if you need it." Titan knew she needed one given her crappy life.
"I … thank you." The tears came on as he squeezed her tightly … wow, wasn't kidding about that extra strength. Her bones were already creaking.
"No….Problem…." What was better than being the emperor … being the emperor's second in command. You get to help make all the decisions and get personally thanked by the higher power daily. It was win-win all around.
=======================================================================
Amity smiled as she tossed a ball. "Go fetch!"
Prince looked at her with a bit of a miffed off anger. "I'm chasing it for me, not for you!" Somehow, despite learning how to talk and act on his own, the little guy still kept up acting like a pet. It was adorable and fun, pretty much the only reason she'd ever want to be home.
Ever since Odalia… or as she was forced to call her… Mom… and dad made her break things off with Willow, her life was just a gloomy, miserable mess. Mom wanted her to essentially be an Odalia clone, Ed and Em were as insufferable as ever, and Dad barely knew she existed. But Prince…. he was different.
Maybe it had something to do with the fact he wasn't related to her by blood. Maybe it was the fact he was adorable as hell and somehow made people like Boscha semi tolerable when they were around. Or maybe it was just the fact he crawled up to her when she was crying at night and held her close. The point was that Prince was a perfect part of her life she'd never abandon.
"Oh, who's a good boy, who's a good boy?" She rubbed his belly as he returned the ball.
"Your belly rubs make you the ideal second in command, but I will not take this pandering forever-mind rubbing a little higher?" The little guy asked. She moved up. "Oh that's the spot. Now where was I … oh right. I will not take this pandering forever! Soon I will conquer the Boiling Isles as the king of demons, not merely its prince!" Like she said, adorable.
"Tell you what. Cast one spell, then we'll start talking about making you king." She assured the little guy. "Until then, your mighty second in command will make sure we stay safe and sound." When she burned this place to the ground, she was making sure Prince was the only survivor.
"Hah! One spell?! The future ruler of this land has so much power inside of him, his greatness cannot be contained with one measly spell!" The little guy justified his reason for not having magic… which was weird to think about. He looked more like a beast type demon, but moved and talked like a bi-ped type.
She once asked Dad what he thought about Prince, but that just led to a rant about experiments on his blood that, by the laws of magic, made no sense whatsoever, and then he started begging Mom to 'open him up' for answers. That was when she began developing her journal on ways to 'dispose of' dad in his sleep. He was too alert and quick with his abominations for her to do any damage at night.
Emira once had the idea to distract him with something called 'prostitutes', but since nobody explained to her what those were, she was back to square one. Hm, maybe she could use whatever magic Prince had to do it. No one would expect the pet after all. "Then show me the mighty magic that the future king of demons has." She chuckled, rubbing his head. She didn't expect the plan to work but it would be a nice thought.
"Behold my powers!" He screamed, walking over to a stuffed koala. "Move!" … No reaction. "Move … move over … walk!" He waved his arms around.
Amity chuckled as she walked over. "Magic doesn't just work like that. You need circles." She created a small one, creating a tiny ball of light, basic stuff. "You think about what you want, reach down into what's inside your heart, and let it out."
"My heart… like friendship?"
"No silly, magic. It literally comes out of the heart." She smirked. "It pumps itself into all parts of your body, to the point your very blood is a bit magic."
"My blood… so I should cut myself and let all my raw power out at once!" The little guy went to reach for the nearest pin. "Thanks amity! You're the best."
"Wait, Prince, don't!" She held him back. "You do not need to hurt yourself for magic sake." If he needed something and she had the power, she'd do it herself. "Do anything to hasty-!"
The little guy stabbed the pin and rammed it into his arm. ".... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"Prince!" She looked over the bad wound. "Oh boy, oh boy." She panicked. "Alright, I'm going to take you over to Cat."
"Just pull it out!" He shouted, grabbing the pin.
"No you never pull out a-"
He pulled it out, resulting in blue liquid spraying everywhere. "AAAHHHH!!"
"Prince, just stop… doing… anything." She grabbed the nearest cloth and wrapped it over his arm. "Don't do anything unless you know what's going to happen."
"Got it… lesson learned." He winced, looking down on the floor, where his blue blood was leaking all over.
"What's going on with all this screaming!?" A familiar voice shouted, as Amity turned to watch a very prissy woman walk through the room. "What's with this mess!?"
"Sorry Mom, Prince just cut himself while running." Mom would probably put down any pet 'dumb enough to stab themselves', so she would omit that part. "I'll clean it up right away."
"See that you do, I just bought this rug, and I don't need any stains…" She looked on the ground, and paused. "...Were you messing with the twin's potion collection?"
"No, I can never get anywhere close to their stuff… even though they keep stealing mine." Amity grumbled. "This is just Prince's blood."
"I can see infinity." The little guy was probably anemic right now. "Hello Marques, when did you become a god?" Prince asked his stuffed Koala.
"The blood is bubbling." Odallia pointed out.
Amity looked down … and saw that it was indeed bubbling. "... Does it hate wood?" That felt wrong but it's not like it was touching anything else. And she sincerely doubted Prince had the body heat for boiling blood.
"I'm not aware….use your abominations to pick it up, I want to see what happens."
"Shouldn't I get Prince treated fir-"
"Don't argue with your mother, Mittens. You can play with the pet once you do as you're told."
"... Yes mother." She commanded her abomination arm to pick it up as she once more began fantasizing about Oldalia suffering. Oh how much she wanted to let her have it, just, grabbing her by the neck and-
"Mittens!" Amity was taken out of her state of days as she saw her abomination arm had become a fully grown abaoming…one that towered over her mother, and was covered in spikes.
"I…I didn't do that… I think." She looked at it in awe as the abomination walked towards Odalia.
The front door opened. "Alright, this should help-" Dad paused, looking at the abomination, before holding out his hand and freezing it. "... Who touched my experimental works?" The man asked, an accusing tone in his voice. "Because this clearly isn't something that the kids came up with on their own." Great, two angry parents, just what she needed.
"Alador dear, didn't you say once that you were struggling to figure out the components of Prince's blood?" Odalia asked dad.
"Yes."
"Well you clearly didn't study it enough. It's a magic enhancer!"
"..." The man stayed silent for what seemed like minutes, before looking at the frozen abomination. "Who made this?" He asked, his tone less angry, but still a hint of … something. Worry?
"Mittens."
That got her dad to look confused. "I know she's strong, but this level … whatever enhancement magic Prince has shouldn't be capable of something on this scale." He stated. "From their young age alone …"
"Can I take him to get treated now?" Amity begged, looking at the little guy.
"I see flaming lights … was that up or down?"
"Yes, go ahead and do that Mittens… do what you can to protect our future investment." …Amity didn't like where this was heading.
=======================================================================
Willow once more rubbed her arms. Boscha was especially ruthless today, apparently she got a bad score, and decided to take out her anger on her 'favorite punching bag'. So it was going to be more hiding bruises under long sleeves and make her dads think nothing was wrong. "This sucks…life sucks."
That's how everyday was for Willow, ever since Amity turned her back on her and became an entitled jerk. All that time, laughing together, playing together, promising they would be best friends forever…apparently that was one huge freaking lie. Willow was just some 'half a witch' loser that everyone would turn on.
She tried to find someone else to be friends with … but sadly, no one was an option, she was just alone. Willow was spending her time in the park hiding behind a tree, focusing on the ground. "Come on …" She talked to her only friend … the plants.
They talked to her, telling her stories, and she talked back, caring for everything they needed. Helping them grow, such as the flower in front of her. "It'll be alright." She smiled, making sure to add just a touch of water on the soil. "Sorry that I don't have more, it's been hard to carry anything on me without Boscha snatching and smashing it on my head."
She had no idea what that girl's deal was. She barely spoke two words to the tri eyed witch and all of a sudden, she had a demon sized target on her back. Just leave her alone, please, that's all she asked.
Willow continued looking after the plant … until she saw a blue blur out of the corner of her eye, jumping back. "... Hello?" She asked, looking around. "Is anyone there?" She got no response, just what looked like some sort of shifting force floating above her. "If you're an angry griffin, please, just let me be…or at least, make it quick and use my body to fertilize future plants." Giving her entire self to nature…that was a wonderful dream to have.
"I used to be like that too, it's a bit bad in hindsight." A voice spoke up. "You could probably use a pick me up." Some kind of orange liquid floated in front of her. "Orange juice? Freshly squeezed."
"..Ah…do you have a cup…or a straw at least?" She asked the ominous voice.
"Cup's are boring." The voice snickered. "I never use them.
Alright, she was quickly changing from frightened to baffled. "Do you mind showing yourself?" She asked the voice.
"Hello!" The blue blur swung upside from the tree from what appeared to be a watery swing. "Is your hair more green or more blue? Green would fit better, since you seemed to like plants, but then again, I haven't seen that many blue plants in my life." Asked … a kid her age, with long flowing hair with small curls, and watery wings.
"...Are you some kind of water spirit?" She asked honestly.
"Funny enough, that's not the weirdest assumption people have made about me." He laughed, morphing his wings into a water hand like it was an abomination limb. "The name's Steven Slavic. I moved here around a mouth or so ago."
"Oh …" She nodded. "Is that why I … haven't seen you around Hexside?"
"That place? Nah, my Mom's trying to get me into Glandus." They explained. "She just needs to get some paperwork stuff done. What about you?"
"If I'm being frank, I'd rather be anywhere that wasn't here." Willow sighed. "Everyone around here treats me like a joke."
"Oh, so you wanna live in the clouds?" He asked. "I've been working on trying to get my water into a puffy shape, but all I can manage is steam at the moment. Watch." Steven floated the drink he had floated to her, and made it bubble, until it turned all misty.
"Wow… you did that without even using a fire spell… or magic circle." She oooed in awe.
"Yeah, I have a bit of a cheat, but controlling water is kind of my thing." He nodded, making the mist float, turning it back into a liquid, and them freezing it. "If it's wet, I can make it do what I want." That was pretty cool. "What about you? How much of a plant gal are you?"
"I … can make them grow pretty much when I want and how I want." She said, causing a flower to rise. "I just kinda … you know, prefer to not fight. I don't like hurting people on purpose."
"Eh, that's fair. Honestly, it takes more strength to restrain yourself than to throw a punch." He shrugged. "Back where I was from, you could say I had a bit of an anger problem. Once almost drowned a whole town in a blind frenzy, but, live and learn and all that."
"... A whole town?" Just how talented was this kid?
"But if you never punch back, people are just gonna step on you all the time, aren't they?" He asked.
"I…I suppose that's true…." She admitted weakly. "I mean, I wish I could fight back whenever Boscha is being a huge b-"
"HEY, half a witch!" Speak of the devil herself. "Where do you think you're running!? I still haven't given you your parting gifts!" The triangle eyed girl held up one of her potions.
"... I could totally take her and her friends on." The boy said, laying in the water. "But it won't do much in the future if you never throw a punch."
"But…I'm not strong enough…."
"You have plants." Steven pointed out. "Just make a tree. Nature is on your side. All she has is some dumb liquid I can stop easily." He pointed out. "I'll be here if anything goes wrong, but if you want her to stop for good… you have to take the first step and strike back."
She trembled … clutching her first … remembering every punch … kick … how Amity left her … "I'm not done talking to you!" The girl shouted. "Don't you dare ignore me-"
Willow screamed, raising her hands … as a small tree hit Boscha's jaw, pushing her back a bit.
"Whoa, yeah, way to go!" Steven whistled, "You punched her right in the face!"
"Yeah … I did …" Willow looked down … feeling herself smile widely for the first time in months. "I really di-"
"You little bitch!" And now Boscha was on fire, throwing balls of flames at her face. "YOU'RE GOING TO FRY, HALF A WI-"
SIZZLE
The girl was dosed in water as Steven popped his fingers. "Don't worry, now it's my turn." The boy smiled, walking in front of her. "Hey three eyes! Name a number one through ten!" He shouted, pulling out a snail.
"If you think you're going to bribe me-"
"Nah, it's part of a game. One to ten, come on." He smiled.
She growled. "... Seven. Lucky number."
The boy flipped the coin in the air … as it fell onto the ground. "Dang it, never mastered the catch." He muttered, looking down. "Landed on tails … unfortunately, that's where big numbers fail."
She looked confused. "The heck does that-"
Snap
Boscha, her friends, and Willow, all stared in horror as Boscha's leg … twisted. All around, in a complete circle. "It's how many times I spin that around. Heads is how many seconds you run before I attack." Steven smiled as if he didn't just mutilate the girl.
"GGAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" The bitch cried out.
"Oh come on, don't scream yet. That was just one spin." He grinned. "Six more to go."
"Get the hell away from me-AAAAAAHHHH!"
"I imagine that you're usually on the other end of this, right?" He asked. "This is what you do to her all the time?" He pointed to Willow. "You put her through pain when she tells you to stop?"
"I hit her, not twist her bone-AAAAAAAHHHH!!"
"You also throw fireballs and potions at her, which would do more than just cause bruises." He noted, looking down at the mean girl. "You like feeling strong, don't you, thinking anybody you see as weak needs to lick your boots. Guess what, you ain't top of the food chain. Willow's stronger than you by NOT showing off, parading her ego around like she's hot shit." He waved his hand around. "Now get ready for four, it's usually the point where people's limbs go off like a cork."
"AAAAAGGGGGGGH!" The girl's legs spun around once more as she used her bare teeth to crawl away. Willow had to admit….this was the best thing that's happened to her all month … hell … all year. Normally witches just let it happen, they either sided with Boscha or assumed it was some kind of game … for the first time since Amity, Willow met someone that was willing to stand up for her.
"Hey Willow, ten snails says she makes it to five." They asked earnestly, smiling at Willow as if they were sharing ice cream.
Badum-
No, no, no! Do not develop romantic feelings! That's what led to her heartbreak in the first place! Just focus on being friends … yeah, she would just be friends. "You're on. Let's watch it pop off like a rocket."
"YOU'RE BOTH PYSCHOS!"
"Yes, your point?" Steven asked with a head tilt, raising his hand and twirling it once more.
Crack
"You know, since I'm heading to a new school and all … and you don't seem to like where you're going … .wanna maybe head to Glandus with me?" Steven asked.
"Well my Dad graduated from there, so it sounds like it could be fun." Willow smiled. "... By the way, the leg came off. You owe me ten snails."
"Dang it, thought she might've been tougher than that. Guess that's my fault for assuming."
"I NEED A HOSPITAL!"
"And I need you to shut up, but we don't always get what we want, do we?" Willow smirked, knowing that she actually WAS getting everything she wanted right now … a friend that wouldn't abandon her.
=======================================================================
Oldalia smiled as she stood on the stage. "Attention, citizens of the Boiling Isles!" She shouted through the mic. "I have brought upon you a new era for witch kind!" For months she had carefully planned out the perfect strategy. She prided herself in her business practices and skills as the head of an industry, but today, that would all end. Today, she truly had something that would shake the Isles, and perhaps the entire world, to the very core.
"But you're not Lilith!" A citizen shouted. "You're not even in the Emperor's coven!"
"This has nothing to do with the Emperor's Coven!" She continued.
"Then you can't really bring about change!" Another one called out. "You're not speaking for the Emperor."
"This is true change … a world WITHOUT the Emperor!" Oldalia finished. "A world where you don't have to fall in line with what he has to say! A world where you don't have to follow HIS rules for magic!"
There were multiple sounds of surprise, panic, and confusion. "Honorable Gasp!" And people that were clearly just milking the situation.
"I know what some of you may be thinking. 'She's a traitor to the Isles, she's betraying the titan's will'." She understood the story, at least the one the Emperor had told the isles.
"The Emperor's Coven is already breaking their way through!" A woman screamed, and she could indeed see the white coats.
"That may be the case … but the titan's will is such a strange thing." She smiled. "Especially when you have one of your own!" The twins dispelled the illusion, showing off Prince on his throne.
"Behold, I am a titan." They spoke in an even tone.
"... Can't you add pizazz?" She growled.
"This is my fifth show today and you still haven't fed me, forgive me if I can't put in the effort to make it showy, Mom." If the creature wasn't in fact the most important discovery of the entire isles, she would've made his fur into a coat by now.
"...That's a titan… it's… tiny." The crowd murmured in disappointment.
"Yes, he is tiny. However, he is not a titan such as what we stand on." She continued. "He is in fact, a titan child!"
"GASP!" Okay, where was the person milking the drama, and how hard could they stab them until they shut up.
"Yes, we have had it tested!" Oldalia continued. "Other than his head looking exactly like the titan's, down to the horns, we have evidence that his blood has the same potency as titan's blood itself! Observe." She held out a vial of Prince's blood. "A vial of the most potent source of magic, the very gift of the titan! Just the mere presence of it alone can greatly enhance one's magical capabilities!" She snapped her fingers, cuing Mittens to come on stage.
The girl shared a look of tiredness with King, before raising her hands. "Abomination, rise." The purple golem formed.
Oldalia grinned as she tossed the open vial into the muck, watching as the abomination grew larger, larger than any of the newby houses, covered in spikes. "Freeze! By order of the emperor's coven, you're under arrest for tre-" The guards bursting in had no chance to fire off any magic as Mitten's abomination swallowed them up easily, and shot them into the air like cannonfire.
"A simple child's abomination, capable of causing this!" She shouted. "Do you believe me now"
The crowd began to cheer, causing a grin to rise on her voice. "Rejoiceful noises!" Okay, stabbing was too merciful, they needed to chop off that witch's head.
"Yes, this is the way of the future, fellow citizens of the Isles. Belos claims to know the titan's will, but we have a LIVE, breathing titan! One whose presence blesses us all, and who we can hear directly, instead of blindly taking the orders of a man who we barely know anything about!" Odalia proclaimed. "Join me, my fellow friends of the Isles. Together, my family, with the blessings of the REAL titan, can forge a new future together!"
"Titan! Titan! Titan!" Who cared about running a small business!? With power like this, she may as well have the entire island under her rule! She wouldn't just be serving an Emperor…SHE'D be the Empress, her entire family would soon be royalty!
=======================================================================
Bria snickered, looking over the newspaper. "Hey, Gavin, Aangmar, hear about that whole titan spiel going on lately?"
"Lamest shit ever." Angmar rolled their eyes. "I can't believe people fell for it."
"Oh yeah." Gavin nodded. "I was there at the performance. I don't know what was in that vial, but the power was legit, sent coven guards flying."
"I just think it'll be funny for them to actually try and storm the Emperor's castle like they actually have a chance." Bria laughed, crushing up the paper. "I'm ambitious, but even I'm not crazy enough to take on the Emperor… not yet anyways."
"Not to mention they think they can take on Lilith …" Angmar began drooling. "What a woman …" She flicked him in the head. "What, I can't fantasize a little?"
"If you're going to jerk off to thoughts of an older woman, do it in a closet or something." She glared at him.
"At least I know what I want. Your pool of romance hasn't exactly been full." She punched Angmar in the face for that slight.
"When someone kicks my ass, I'll be interested." She rolled her eyes.
The two stared at her, before Gavin spoke up. "So Hannibal, Hamlet, or Belfana?"
"Maybe not Hannibal. His idea of 'eating me out' isn't what my idea is." Bria shrugged. "Besides, I got more important things to focus on than dragging around a ball and chain."
"Like the new kids?" Gavin asked. "Heard two of them managed to get to three star." … The same rank as her …
"Who the fuck get's that high of a rank within the first week?" Bria asked, smelling snorseshit about the whole situation.
"You think they got rich folks?" Angmar suggested. "Buying their way in?"
"This is Glandus, not St Epidermis." Bria would've trampled this entire place to the ground if that was the case. "Strong and capable witches don't just pop ass out of nowhere, there has to be some kind of trick they're pulling."
"Illusion?" Gavin suggested. "Wouldn't be the first time."
"Two star maybe, but not three." Something was wrong. "Where are these newbies, I'm gonna teach them a lesson."
"Should be down the hall." Aangmar pointed to two figures, one green and slightly buff girl with glasses, another being a boy in blue with hair that covered half his face.
"..So then Mom's ripping apart a punching bag with a picture of that Blight woman on it, telling it 'not fair' while drinking five gallons of appleblood." The boy said. "Had to hold her down with a hug for eight hours until she calmed down.
"Dude, I don't know why people say you have anger issues, your mom is clearly the mental one in your family." The girl chuckled. "It's times like this I question if insanity is just a woman thing, because you and my dads seem pretty chill."
"Even before I came to the Boiling Isles, I always saw myself as the calm one. Most of my attacks aren't even done out of anger. They're from calm, flowing thoughts and precise thinking." The boy laughed. "It's not like I'm a maniac who thinks he can punch his way out of every problem like half of every kid here." True … time to show them who's boss.
"So." She introduced herself to the two. "A little birdie told me you two made it to three star in just a week." Bria smiled as she walked closer to the duo. "Quite the feet for some newbies."
"Thanks, I guess. Just…doing what we've practiced before coming here." The girl with glasses raised up a vine from the ground. "Figured if I was serious about getting stronger, Glandus would be the best choice."
"And Willow is definitely the best of the best." The boy grinned. "I'm Steven Slavish, nice to meet you." He held out his hand in a naively friendly manner.
"Oh really?" She stuck out her hand. Looked like childhood friends, probably only getting as far as they did because they worked together. While connections were good, strength of oneself was always more important. "I can't say the same thing about you." She gripped the hand as hard as she could, expecting to hear the usually crunching and snapping…..and got nothing.
"Hm, your grip is slightly stronger than a normal witch's." The boy snorted. "I can definitely see you earned the three star rank. I hear one of the others is a ghost in witch form, which sounds super cool. Is that true?"
The guy had a cocky attitude. It was almost charming…almost. "Yeah, they're on the grudgby team with me, think you have what it takes to join up, Bluey?"
"Nah, don't really think I'm the type of guy to show off the little skill I have to others just to make myself feel better." The girl he was with coughed. "What?"
"Should I point out how you tend to get bored of most of your fights and put on a 'show' for others?" The girl asked.
"Those are more for your benefit than anything. Best way to cheer up a bestie is to mutilate their enemies in the most artistic manner possible."
"Yes, except now I have to compensate with my own show." She chuckled. "I mean, did you see what I did with the painbow flower?"
"Yes, and must I say, what a beautiful display it was. Eleven out of ten." The boy grabbed Bria's arm and shoved her to the side. "Now if you would excuse me Grapehead, me and my best friend have classes to get to.Now then, I really think we should start an art club, capturing the beauty of brutality in all its amazing forms."
"Did… Did you just shove me aside… Like I was trash?" Bria growled, gripping her hands as she prepared pillars.
"No, I moved you to the left so I could get to class." They said, completely unphased by her growl. "I don't have enough of an opinion on you to call you trash. Willow?"
"She barely registers as a Boscha light. I'm fine with ignoring her existence and doing something actually important with my life." The girl shrugged. "Now do you want to start with a painting or a sculpture, because I'm partial to a flower mural myself."
"Sculpture, I need to work on my three dimensional designs." They were talking to her like she didn't matter….like she was beneath them….screw that.
"Listen bubs, you're at Glandus now, and it's obvious that you two hadn't gotten your reality check yet!" Bria smacked the walls, making them close in on the two. "Don't worry, I'm here to cash it in for you!"
The girl created some magic circles as plants rose from the ground, pushing back. "Gah, bitches, they never know when to back off."
Bria began to destroy the ground they grew from. "Like I need advice from a fat and weak freak like you!!"
There was a moment of silence. "Listen, I think you have a lovely face, and this raging determination is quite nice." The curly twerp smiled … before slamming a water fist through the construct and onto her neck. "But insult my friend again, and I will end you, instantly. Are we clear?" He asked in a sickly sweet tone as he squeezed tighter on her neck, water close to crushing her bones.
Badump
"Harder Daddy." She said instinctively.
"...And just like that you made it weird." The boy let go. "You were right Willow. Romance does make life messy."
"Right!?" The glasses girl threw her hands in the air. "Yet somehow I'M the crazy one!" The girl with glasses looked at her with disgust, before rolling her eyes. "Let's just get out of here before she ruins our day more."
"Wait, wait!" She got up. "Alright, I'm witch enough to know I'm wrong. That's just how Glandus works. You fight to prove yourself and reach the top." She patted the two on the back. "Had to make sure you two were legit and not just riding on snorseshit to get ahead."
"You thought we were faking?" The boy asked skeptically.
"Yeah, nobody's that talented!" She exclaimed. "... Except Belfana, but that's an entirely different league of people. What you just showed was genuine three star material." She laughed. "Now that we know we're capable of killing each other without a second glance, let's start all over." There was no way she wasn't going to not stick with these guys….especially the sexy blue one. "The name's Bria Lolite. Star Grudgby player and ruler of the school by the end of the semester."
"Sorry to say, but that's my job." Willow smirked. "I'd call it Steven's but …"
"Unambitious." He shrugged. "Although mom says I could rule the Isles if I wanted, since controlling water and all its forms and all that." The boy waved his arms, and ripped some out of the pipes from the walls. "Long as I get to do my art, I'm content with just about anything."
"… You are the second most unambitious kid I've met." She muttered. "But, you are still the most sexy and usable."
"What?"
"The most friendly and kind." She corrected herself, placing her arms around both their shoulders. "How bout we get to class together and really get to know each other?"
"Sure, that sounds great." Willow smiled, before pulling her close and away from earshot. "I know you see us more as pawns than friends, so I will only say this once…Hurt Steven in any way…. and I end you… got it?" She topped it off with a sickly sweet smile.
"Consider it got." She waved off with a smirk. "Although between you and me, I'm thinking more about what he could do to me, if you know what I'm talking about."
"Ugh, gross, do you have to say your kinks out loud?" Willow grunted
"Yes, because if I can't torture you physically, mental warfare is the next valid tactic." Such was the way of Glandus. "Plus it gives me vital insight on the two of you, specifically that you're not dating, which means he's single and up for grabs."
"Hey!"
"Don't want that to happen, say something right now and stop me." Bria smirked as Willow just grumbled to the side. The prey never had the courage. Simply how the world worked.
=======================================================================
Philip could do nothing but twitch as he was dragged away. "I'm sorry sir." He heard Lilith say. "But a Titan has a better chance of curing my sister than you do…." Everything… everything was falling apart. "It's nothing personal…it's just how it has to be."
He was barely registering anything around him as he was still coming to terms with what was going on. He had it all figured out, his plans for the day of unity, the coven system, the collector…it was supposed to be perfect…but then…trouble came from the most unexpected source.
Odalia Blight, a woman he wrote off as a simple engineer, one whose weaponry he would've exploited the usefulness of at the right time, had managed to procure a Titan. A monumental feat no oracle could have seen coming. And now he was dethroned, as the people cheered for the 'true voice of the isles' to take the throne
He had heard for months of her campaigns, her rally's, her claims of power and promise. Claims he ignored as the boasting of a delusional witch with dreams of grandeur. Come to find out she was backed up by MUCH evidence. From scholars, to Titan blood (something he desperately needed himself), to the similarities of the child and the Titan.
He would've written it off, killed the woman and her followers, but he came to find out that titan's blood enhanced magic was much more powerful than artificial magic. Not to mention that if a man who had been preaching of 'the titan's will' killed a Titan, even his show of powers wouldn't be enough to sway these morons.
So here he was, beaten, battered, and dragged away in a cell he couldn't escape, with the mocking of the collector echoing in his head, as he would have to spend the rest of his life in a cell… in utter humiliation. "Of all the ways my plan would have gone astray… this is by far the most humiliating." Belos grumbled. Four hundred years of planning, gone down the drain. He was truly nothing now…the witches had won. And he was left, without a single ally in the world.
Kaboom
The walls of his cell came down. He scantily avoided the bricks toppling on him as a small, familiar figure made herself known. "My 'annoying' voice doesn't seem like such a bad thing now, does it 'Emperor Belos."
"I … What?" Why was she here?
"Oh, I'm sorry, do you prefer Philip Wittabane?" Kikimora smirked.
His brain stalled. "WHAT!?"
"Oh yeah, I listened to everything you had to say, both publicly and privately. Several times I've kept you secret from getting out….and you never thanked me once." The tiny gremlin growled. "You kicked me to the side like trash… and now here you are."
"So … you've come to add salt to the wound I take?" He was already jailed and weak. There wasn't much else to do.
"Yes and no." The woman nodded. "I have found a greater purpose for myself, but some part of me does admire you somewhat even in spite of all that you've done…which is why you are going to help me with my plans for the Isles." She snapped her fingers, and a teenage boy with messy hair appeared.
He scoffed. "If you knew everything I spoke of, you'd know I have nothing to offer." His magic took too much money, the collector was too unstable for anyone but a mind such as his … oh, and Philip wanted every witch in the world dead and burning.
"Oh no, I think you have plenty to offer. Sweetie." She looked at the boy affectionately. "Turn him to mush. He can take it."
"Yes Mom." The boy waved his arms…and Philip felt every fiber, every muscle, every bone bend and break down into his more sludgey beastial form. "Wow, this is fun! It's like he's living play dough!"
"Yes, you want to know why?" She asked. "Because he eats palisman to make himself stronger."
The boy paused, twisting his body into a longer form. "Those wooden things that help witches? Aren't they, you know, so sacred that people would rather die than lose them?"
"Yes, and if he's a hated man now, if word got out he's no different than a crystal devil…well, it wouldn't be pretty for him." The tiny cruel woman laughed. "But you still have a few tricks up your sleeve, so whether voluntarily or involuntarily, you're going to help my son rule over the Boiling isles. Then…and only then…will I allow you to die."
He growled … before an idea ran into his head. "... Very well. I'll help."
"Excellent." She smiled, rubbing the boy's head. "Who's a good little interrogator?"
"Moooooom, you're embarrassing me." The boy blushed.
"Let me have this moment, you're going to be such a good tyrant, and I want to savor your youth while it's still here." She turned back to him. "Keep him in a ball, we don't want him thinking he's on equal footing here."
"Yes mom." It would be tricky…but Belos was excellent with working with the hand that life dealt him. Driving whatever this boy was against a titan … all that would be required was either placing himself on the winners side … or fill the vacuum for when they vanished.