Victoria, my dear savior.
I wrote this to properly express how thankful I am for all you have given me. For you have given me the key to my freedom, and for this great act of charity I will make it so for every subject of this empire. From dukes, counts, barons, knights, even those of common birth will know of the sacrifices you made me.
I apologize if this is sudden, and in truth a part of me wished to hold out as long as I could so that the Empire could truly understand the wonderful person you are. But after your gift was proven to be just as amazing as we both knew he would be. I have sadly grown impatient and will be taking my leave.
But I will not have my savior's acts of impossible piety and unimaginable love for something as pathetic as me ever be forgotten! Like I promised when you first looked upon my weary form and in your endless compassion agreed to give me an heir to my station.
You will never know pain, loss, and abandonment ever again.
{the letter written for Victoria by Daniels seemingly moments before the death of Daniels Serpens}
…
Victoria was filled with dread when she made her way into the palace, she would have done anything to not come here and have to suffer that serpent's presence, but she had a grave undertaking.
Arkann and the second prince had given her a much dire request; she had to reveal to the wider Empire the madness that lay within the Serpent King. If she didn't, those who would be sent to war would suffer from his madness.
So it was up to her to rip off the false sanity that her serpent somehow dressed itself in. She had dressed herself in the same dress she had worn that day her family was freed from that thing she had sadly brought into the world.
Victoria could hardly believe her eyes when she finally first bore witness to the accursed monster she had birthed into this poor realm. A part of her refused to believe that the beautiful man who stood above
The thing had grown, long surpassing its mad father in height and air. Standing tall and strong, possessing an air that drew all onto it and it only.
Dressed in black, purple, silver, and gold with those crimson glasses sparking the imagination of all who laid on it. And then came the moment she had been dreading since she was offered to attend this ball.
He was speaking with Emily Vash and her family, while Prince Reemus was drunk out of his wits. But his noble air failed to hide his bright white fangs and his forked tongue. Victoria had been informed of the Serpent's transformation after becoming a true warden. But the agents of the Civil Protection had completely failed to properly communicate the magnitude of the changes.
Victoria was ushered by a well dressed Arkann to where she would wait until it was time for her performance. And when she arrived at this particular spot Victoria Gol immediately noticed how the room had been set, the decorations, the seating, even how the room was engineered made it seem more like a stage than an actual room.
When her time had come to play her part, it would be on this stage where it would be impossible to ignore. As she and prince Romulos would show the good people of the empire the beast that slithered amongst them.
Victoria strode to her place and dramatically unfolded her fan before as she waited for her cue.
…
Adder stood in front of Victoria for the first time in years, and he smiled. Because Adder felt exactly as terrible as he thought he would when they did finally meet. Victoria took a drink before she spoke, her smile as fake as her eyes.
"I have heard you have been busy since you departed. The victory over the army of Vermus, helping restore order to our country, and even taking the fight to the heart of the rebellion itself. You sure must be proud of all your achievements, I mean who wouldn't be proud of your great accomplishments."
Adder laughed at Victoria's attempt of goading, trying her best to have him become furious or fray at the seams. Though if she had spoken like that to an Adder even a year younger, she and those who put her up to this would have gotten what they wanted.
"I did what my country needed from me… though I feel that is not what you mean by that question."
Victoria titled her head with a mischievous air, so Adder instead happily lived up to his title, as he then joined in the game of silver tongues and honeyed words.
"How is Fredrick and Alexander? I know that communication is limited thanks to them being on the other side of the country."
Victoria seethed with fury as she immediately commented back. Their conversation already drew an ever growing crowd of servants, heirs and even those who held important positions within the Empire.
"They are hunting down enemies of the Empire just like you. Unlike some people, armed rebel forces don't come to them! My husband and only child and the rest of the Imperial Knights are fighting for their lives on the Barren Line."
Adder laughed and he raised his shoulders, as he placated the matriarch of the Gol family.
"Oh yes the phantom enemies of the Barren Line, the very threat that has taken up the entirety of the Imperial Knights' attention, even as the rats of Vermus marched ever onward destroying all in their wake."
Victoria wanted to retaliate but the Serpent King had taken control of their play's direction and he was not about to lose it.
"But you still haven't told me what you meant by 'anyone would be proud'? I have a feeling you didn't like that I'm here, helping return peace to the Empire. I know we've had our problems but I never thought that our past relationship would come before Nalice."
"Past?"
Victoria immediately responded, this time Adder remained silent.
"My husband and child have been robbed of their Honor, while you lazed around in the town of Cromb. My family has been staking their lives for the Empire, only for you to appear and take their deserved Glory. You should have just done what I told you to do all those years ago and stayed there until you rotted away!"
For the first time Victoria Gol raised her voice within the Imperial Palace, her tone both angry and hurtful. The stage had done its part perfectly, with anyone within the palace flocked to the serpent's reunion.
The audience continued to grow as did their murmuring that both the Serpent King and the Matriarch of Gol failed to notice. By then Prince Romulus had taken on a confused and remorseful face as his 'present' for Adder had obviously gone array.
The serpent's posture lowered but Adder couldn't help but laugh, because Victoria had forgotten what the last thing she had told him.
"I remember our last conversation going a little differently, you're right you told me to stay put and not cause any problems for the great people of Cromb. But you did offer a second choice for me to take, another path for this loyal son."
Victoria felt dread but the serpent refused to have her rebuttal. This was his line and he was going to perform. His tone inadvertently softened, becoming akin to velvet, as sadness started to invade his words.
"I guess you forgot, you offered me a way out just like father. You offered me death at the hands of Alexander, is that what you want to happen? For me to be a mindless beast slaughtering all in my path. Will that make you happy? My severed head hung in the game room, my face twisted into a beastly visage and Alexander became renowned as a monster hu…"
Victoria's hand is what finally stopped the serpent's tongue, the slap's sound seemingly echoed in the entire palace. But that sound was quickly silenced by another, the shattering of glass that made everyone's blood run cold.
Adder hadn't felt any pain from the blow, but he fell to his knees. As he stared at the glasses, his glasses. His mother's blow had sent his beloved glasses to the floor where they shattered. His hand trembled as his fingers brushed the shattered ruby glass before then grabbing his ruined glasses.
He could fix it of course he could, it would be easy. But then what, she broke them. Like she had with everything else he loved and enjoyed, and she was going to get away with it? No, no she wouldn't.
But before Adder could even think of standing up, he felt a hand gripping his shoulder. This iron grip cooled Adder's temper as he limply sat on his knees, as he prepared for the start of the second act.
…
To my beloved child and sole heir.
I wish first to apologize, because you deserve so much from the world, your country, and most importantly me. I grew up with no one, so I know how horrible it is to be truly alone and I wish with all of my heart that I could be here for you.
But I cant, I am so sorry I cant stay my boy. My time of liberation is so close at hand, that I can taste it. Child, oh my most precious possession you deserve the world and so much more. Yet you had to be my child, such a wonderful child born just to take his bastard father's place. It's that reason that I can't name you, how could a lowly being such as I name you?
I leave you now hoping I can spare you my horrid existence in your life. Know that I will always love you and will be forever thankful for your existence, my liberator. May you know only glory and happiness.
Forever grateful Daniels the Liberated.
{letter written by Daniels Serpens to the yet named youngest of the Serpens family.}
…
In the middle of the first imperial ball, the Serpent King laid on his knees, his hands trembling as he tried to collect the broken pieces of his glasses. The air around the true warden chilled and made all who had witnessed start to feel dread.
That's when he appeared, drunk as a sailor and just as furrious. Prince Reemus appeared and placed his hand on the Serpent King's shoulder. Before turning his attention to the woman who had caused this commotion in the first place.
"Great! So this was your special surprise?"
Reemus slurred as he theatrically corrected his clothing and posture. His displeasure was obvious as he spoke to his 'worried' younger brother Romulos.
"You know how to make a disaster, I'll give you that, little Romulos."
Reemus put his hand on his forehead while overlooking the great crowd that had accumulated. Overlooking the hundreds of soon to be gossipers and tale tellers, his drunken act not stopping for a second.
"I… I didn't know this would happen."
Reemus sneered at his brother's false excuse but instead of ignoring it or claiming it as false. The older prince instead, happily took what his brother said as truth, and would use that against him.
"Oh I know that, Romulus. I know for a fact you wanted a grand reunion between mother and child. But like I and our parents told you, some things are best left alone for all the good that did you."
The people wouldn't be convinced that this whole farce had been planned by his brother. But that wouldn't stop Reemus to make sure in some way, shape, or form Romulos was responsible for this commotion.
The few people whispering among themselves was taken as a sign from the eldest prince he had done all he could. So Reemus turned his attention from his 'Innocent' brother to the stalwart Matriarch of The Gols. He took a great step towards Victoria while jabbing his finger in her face while taking on a more accusationary tone and demeanor for the third act.
"Now there's you!"
Reemus gestured to the unmoving Adder, who seemed to have turned to stone since Romulos appeared.
"You made your feelings quite clear four years ago, you had no reason to agree to this farce even if it was suggested by my sweet little brother. Yet you did, you agreed, maybe even told my poor innocent brother that you wished for this reunion."
Reemus found himself needing to raise the stakes of this confrontation. He needed for his appearance to have made a massive power shift, he needed to shed Adder in a new light. And it was then that Victoria gave Prince Reemus the chance he would have killed for.
"I wished to meet my child, not this serpent!"
Victoria gestured to the still kneeling Adder, before she continued.
"Look at him dressed like a clown with matching red glasses, well he did have them."
Reemus smiled as he stole his victory.
"Glasses?"
Reemus shifted his footing, crushing and moving some of the crimson glass that riddled their stage. Reemus laughed at this 'discovery' of his, trying his best to show his exasperation at this whole affair.
"His Glasses."
Reemus picked up a shard of the ruby like glass and raised it such a way that no one could ignore it. And then told them the tale he had been waiting so long to tell, a tale of family, of loss and of duty.
…
To the Empire, Hear me!
I am Daniels Serpens, and I come to demand your faith, your devotion, and your zeal. For finally a god worthy of our worship has come. A holy figure barely four months old, my son, the last of my bloodline and given to me by the ever radiant Victoria Gol.
This child has come to free me of my imprisonment, and for doing such a task I refuse for him to be forgotten like the rest of my accursed family. Those who rolled their eyes when they saw, those who ignored our all so important duty and its burden, those who allowed my family to slowly and alone.
My son will be spared from this fate! That I swear, for the Empire has for too long looked down upon the basilisk. Whose venom has been with us the moment we are, whose crimson eyes haunt our dreams.
I know that I have failed him, by leaving him to bear this burden alone. I know that I should live up to my own responsibilities, to raise and protect my boy from this cold and unfeeling Empire.
But do you?
Do you know what will happen if my son receives the same upbringing I did? He would take the same path as me, but he will not leave an heir. With his death would usher the freedom of the Bailisk, serpents big and small will slither and claim our lands. The crimson eyes of the King of Serpents will be known by every man, woman, and child. And all will know the wrath of the Venomous Calamity will be forever known.
{The letter given to the Imperial Times, The Empire's largest newspaper. This letter was then published as Daniels Serpens had arranged. This letter soon became known as the Will of the Crazed Serpent.]
…
"Listen well children of Nalice, for I will tell you the story of Adder. The tale of how the Serpent King came to be as he is now."
Prince Reemus completely threw off his drunken act as he took on the role of story teller. His voice boomed across the many rooms of the Imperial Palace, both parts passionate and fury as he started his tale.
"In the frontier, forgotten by those in the capital. The Serpent King lived alone in the ruins of what was once his family home. Yet even after he was abandoned and thrown away into some forgotten corner of the country who failed him. And given that miserable fate, did you know what he did?"
Reemus burst into joyful and astonished laughter.
"He helped the people of Cromb, could you imagine that? Thrown away by everyone and everything you ever knew, and still even after all that still possessing the all top human desire of helping people."
"But even if that wasn't enough he soon after did the impossible becoming the first True Warden of the Empire. And what did he do with this newfound and unrivaled power? Nothing, no not nothing he did what he always did. He helped people, slaying a manticore when he was just fourteen. Thankfully unlike before his deeds were properly awarded giving Adder what he had long deserved since the very beginning."
He sneered at the clearly apathetic Victoria Gol, who couldn't bother to feign interest. But the prince's next words forced her to pay attention.
"A mother, no more than that. The serpent finally found his family! His Mother, a warrior from a far off and already erased land. A grandfather who fought for his people and country. And lastly was his brother, who while did not share such a historic and colored background, they were brothers great and true."
Now Victoria and Romulos were more than interested in what the first prince had to say. Brothers were excellent collaborators, Grandfathers perfect for exploitation, Mothers amazing tools, to both Victoria and Romulus Adder having a family meant only one thing: leverage against the Serpent King.
Romulus immediately piped up, speaking as the bright eyed hopeful boy the nobles and the masses of Nalice had gotten to know.
"Where are they, we must invite into our Empire! Tell us about his mother, his brother, and grandfather!"
Reemus abruptly turned to his brother, fury burning in his eyes. Before his face became pained, and tone taking on a cold saddened tone but continued his story.
"His Mother gave him a history and people to call his own, teaching him the ways of their people. His Grandfather, imparted upon him his wisdom and the importance of duty. His Brother, being there every step of the way, grew up side by side in the forests of Cromb like all siblings should. And four years after finding his home, his family! Adder lost them all on the same day…"
The whispering among the crowd immediately died, Romulus tried his best to hide his disappointment. But all stood at attention to the Eldest Prince's story for they all knew this would be the talk of the Empire until this war ended.
"His grandfather to old age, his mother to her responsibilities, and even I don't know what became of his brother. But everyone in one way or another left on the same day, that day he woke up with a family, and by noon they were gone."
"That same night the Army of Vermus invaded Cromb, and instead of following either of his living family. He chose loyalty and duty, he chose the Empire, he chose us! And how do we repay him?"
Victoria felt uneasy as the Eldest Prince had pointed to her once more.
"We watch idly by, as the Bitch who tormented him all of his life continues her abuse! How many times are we going to learn this lesson? How many times are we going to have our greatest weapon subjected to our apathy. It is like we are driven to make the Prophecy of the Mad Serpent a reality. How many times are we going to allow a son of our Empire to never know justice?"
Reemus grabbed Victoria by the hair, and forced her to look at the crimson glass in his hand.
"You didn't know, and I know you didn't care, but these simple glasses were a gift. An irreplaceable gift, a present from his grandfather, a relic that helped him see through the snow. Something of both practical and sentimental worth. And within ten minutes of reuniting with Adder, broke it beyond repair!"
Reemus had almost finished his part, but what he had saved for last needed to be remembered by the people. So using all of his strength he threw Victoria Gol to the ground right upon the strewn about shattered glass.
"You want Danniels' warning to come to fruition, you want a monster for your useless arrogant boy to slay and be seen as a useful and needed part of this Empire. I promise you this, that arrogant punk puts shame upon the very title of knight will more likely bring doom to our Empire than prosperity.
With that Reemus part was played and it was time for him to signal for Emily to pull him away and mark the end to this event. But another character entered the stage, he was dressed in white and sky blue. Smiling as he helped Victoria up and brushed her off.
Rodrick Auger, captain of the Ornate Guard, one of the most influential members of the empire. As he helped Victoria recover her appearance, he handed the still kneeling Adder a blindfold to hide his eyes.
Adder sighed as he placed his glasses in his waist pocket before wrapping the blindfold around his eyes. Thanks to his judgement Adder could easily see even with the thick cloth, but everything changed when Adder laid his Judgement upon the captain of the Ornate Guard.
Nothing, his judgement gave him nothing, Adder couldn't even see Rodrick's face. It was unintelligible like the glare from the sun off a body of water, it burned to look at. Adder immediately understood why he couldn't, his blood ran cold and heart running still. He quickly muttered something before heading for the exit.
"I apologize if I have ruined the party, I will make myself scarce. If any of you need me i will be in my room."
After saying his excuse Adder left the ballroom and had no plan of returning leaving all who remained confused or anxious themselves.
…
Adder bursted into his room, his head and heart filled with dread. He fixed his glasses with just a wisp of divine power and a wave of his hand. Before trying his hardest to not panic, for there was only one reason for his judgement to fail in that way.
In one way or form Rodrick Auger was involved with the traitors of humanity, the monsters who slayed the four gods and the two divine beasts. The Seraphim, the false angels, had found purchase within the first Empire.