Days came, days past. Lilith appeared only to taunt me, it seemed. They said nothing, but I knew if I spoke up I would be met with some snarky comment, so I kept my mouth shut.
No work was done; I can’t focus. Every time I sit down and try to focus on something, my thoughts race back to everything that’s happened in the past few days; To Lark, Soren, Aiakos, those strange bones, even to Chronos and Saki. I’ve let them all down, and I was left to remember.
I hadn’t noticed how old I had grown in this life until recently; the stress and pain starting to show in the form of old age. Lilith probably had a comment, but I didn’t want to hear it. Not now.
Everyone in the Castle seemed to be worried for me, bringing me plates of food and water every few hours, even random visits from Viscet’s I normally wouldn’t see. I wasn’t exactly excited from all the pampering, not being fond of being the center of attention.
After what seemed like ages, a guard spoke up as I sat at my desk with my head hung in my hands, “Sire, there’s a Viscet here who wishes to speak to you.” I opened my eyes but did not lift my head, taking a breath to steady my voice, “Speak of what?” The guard hesitated, “He did not say, only that it was urgent.” “Bring him in,” I said with a sigh, lifting my head and placing the crown back atop my head, not bothering to smooth my rumpled feathers.
A few moments later, a dark Viscet strode though the doors carrying… was that a backpack? He was on the short side, but rather skinny and his feathers well kept and shining. I was drawn to the long, dark horns atop his head, slightly reminded by Lark’s new set, but probably developed under much different circumstances.
“My King, I have something that may peak your interest in times like these,” the dark horned Viscet bowed in greeting, his teeth contrasting his coat as they shone through in a wide grin. I was surprised at the tone of his voice; level and confident, if not a bit cocky. My ears perked forward, “I’m listening,” I muttered, my tails swishing on the hard stone floor
“My name is Luken, and I’m a scientist, you see. I have… lost those who are dear to me, and I can’t stand it.” My ears flattened at his words, but I said nothing as my chest tightened.
Did he know? Was it just bad timing? My mind raced, eyes focusing as my mind clouded with memories.
“You’ve probably noticed by now, but some Viscet’s have mutations on their bodies; horns,” he pointed to his own, “extra feathers, different ear types, spikes, scales, the list goes on. Even wings and
extra tails,” He stated as paced a bit, my gaze following him closely through narrowed eyes.
Luken carefully continued, “I don’t know why such mutations occur, but I’d like to know. I’m researching the effects of mutations, particularly randomly occurring ones, Sire, and the effects they have on the body. Do they strain the host? Is it something in their DNA? Does it weaken their immune system?” As the other male spoke, my mind wandered to Chronos and his seemingly random traits. A spark of worry ignited within me.
What of Lark, then?
“With enough research, I hope to learn to control those traits. As long as I can control the random mutating traits in Viscetlings, deaths should occur less often in them, as I see it.” Luken chuckled, and I clicked my tongue. “Why are you telling me this?” I responded lowly, a flash of fear running through my mind, wondering if this Viscet knew about my past- “I need your help, Sire.” His voice snapped me out of my anxiety-driven thoughts.
“As you can imagine, not many take too kindly to live experimentation… DNA samples are used to study the genetic make up of traits, and there’s only so much I can do with my own DNA…” He trailed off, and I picked up where he left off, “So you need my permission to gather DNA samples from live samples?” His eyes flashed in worry, “When said like that-“ I cut him off.
“You have my full permission.”
Luken gawked at me, but didn’t say anything in response. My mind raced, wondering how such a Viscet came along at what seemed to be the perfect time for him.
If this Viscet succeeds… would he be able to reverse Lark’s odd sudden mutation? Would he be able to fix this?
[i]… Would I be able to get my daughter back?“Luken, do all that you can to find the source of mutated DNA-causing traits and prevent them as best as you can.” I said steadily, sweeping my tails behind me.
Luken looked shocked, to say the least. “Y-yes, Sire! I will try my best!” I reached forward and took the papers from his hands, glancing them over and flipping through to sign in various places. “Sire-“ the black Viscet said suddenly, gaining my attention, “I should mention that eggs will be involved in the testing-“ “Do what you must, I trust what you are doing is for the best.” I replied, only half hearing what was being said.
No, my focus was on Lark and Chronos; my children, both of which bore random mutations. Luken’s speech dug up anxieties I didn’t even know I had until they were said, and I can’t ignore them this time.
“Excellent,” he said, offering me a sly smile that reminded me too much of Lilith. I escorted Luken out of the room, only to find Lilith waiting outside the doors. Their cold stare burned my skin and my feathers rose under their gaze. “What?” I asked, but they herded me back into the room, shutting the doors behind them before they spoke,
“What was
that about?” “That was a scientist named Luken, who-“ “No, not the specifics. I mean why’d you actually
make a deal with him?” They seemed concerned, though they would never admit it. I sighed and shook my head, breaking away from the Shinigami’s cold stare, “You wouldn’t understand-“
“I understand all too well, my dear. That man is dangerous.” They warned but I let out a laugh, “Coming from a Death Bringer!” Lilith’s glare didn’t let up, and responded lowly, “He’s a threat to
mortals. To
Viscetkind, not just to you or I.[/i] I huffed, shaking myself out in response.
“It’ll be fine,” I reassured them, but it was their turn to laugh. “We’ll see about that, dear. You’ll regret making a deal with that man.” The all too familiar smirk was plastered on the Lilith’s face once more, and I scoffed under my breath, “I’ve heard that before,”
Lilith remained quiet, perhaps proving a point of some sort. I paid it no mind.
_______________________________________________________
In the days since Luken has left the Castle to return to his Lab, it was been relatively quiet and peaceful, at least for all those beside myself.
Anger and anxiety built up inside me for too long, and I was nearing my breaking point. Thoughts of Lark, Chronos… Saki, and the whole pack that I had destroyed. My days were filled with regrets and sorrow, many around me becoming quite concerned as my health started to suffer due to this.
“Feeling old yet,
Votski?” was a response I heard quite often from Lilith, and I could no longer deny the wear on my body. At times, I almost considered asking Lilith to help, to speed up the process so I could be young again in a new life, but the more I thought of such things, the more I worried about this life.
What if everything I do in this life is for nothing, like my first life?
Will those who knew me remember me, at least as a vague memory?
Has anything I’ve done here mattered?Of course, I just hadn’t realized.
“You’re this close to death, yet you don’t even have an heir?” Lilith teased one day, but it hit me like a pile of bricks. “So, what of it?” I mumbled under my breath, but they continued, not paying any mind to my tone, “If you’re so worried about leaving something behind in this life, then you might want to get a move on pretty quick, dear.”
They were right. I don’t have much time left, and this city would collapse if I left as is.I reached across my desk and grabbed the list of citizens, flipping through the pages before finding what I wanted to see; a small, poor family living in the small plaza near my first home in this life, a young viscetling with outstanding potential. He was the one.
I got to my feet, bones cracking making even Lilith cringe a bit. I stretched before grabbing my crown and walking out the doors and down the stairs, heading to the gate leading into the city.
___________
I took a few guards with me, even walking through town brought attention to myself, and I can begin to understand why Aiakos hides himself behind the heavy cloak and mask.
When we arrived at the house it was nearly noon, the sun high above us and casting short shadows across the dusty earth. I glance around, taking in the nostalgic surroundings, my eyes resting on the fountain in the center of the plaza.
It seemed so much bigger when I was a Viscetling…I knocked on the door, but there was no response. However, I knew they were home due to the movement behind the small windows. I knocked harder, raising my voice as well, “This is the King, and you are ordered to open this door at once!” I stood back and waited, but still nothing came. I raised my hand, giving my guards the order.
Guess we’ll have to do this the hard way.
The door cracked as my guards slammed against it, the flimsy frame eventually giving out and collapsing in on itself, allowing us entry to the small home. “You’re not welcome here!” a male voice shrieked, and my attention shifted to the Viscets standing on the far side of the room. A small female curled in the corner, holding a Viscetling tightly who stared at us with wide eyes, a large male standing above the par defensively, his feathers raised in warning.
“Your Viscetling has been chosen as heir to the throne.” I stated rather quickly, but the father stood his ground, “We decline any offers you may have!” he snarled, and I was both pained and angered. I felt the hurt he must feel, knowing the feeling of children being taken from you, yet I was getting desperate, and the young Viscet was my best option. I lashed my tails, summoning the fire from deep within me.
Green flames glinted in their eyes, a mix of fear and protectiveness in the father’s eyes, and I spoke again, “That wasn’t an option, it was a statement.” I said bluntly, the corners of my mouth twitching up into a smirk.
The male suddenly lunged at me, but it was over before it had begun. My guards had intercepted. His body fell to the ground with a heavy
thump, body limp and unmoving. Both the mother and the Viscetling were removed from the house and brought back to the Castle, the Viscetling’s training beginning immediately.
_______________________________________________________
Much like myself, I gave the Viscetling a new name upon his arrival here. ‘Nanashi’ became his name (literally meaning ‘one without a name’/’no name’), despite his distaste to it. ‘Shiki’ or whatever he called himself, but that name became forgotten.
Lilith stayed out of Nanashi’s training, to my surprise. They sat in silence, perhaps observing his potential and growth.
They did warn me, however, to be careful. I now knew what that meant, having grown too attached to Viscetlings in the past only to end in heartbreak and pain.
That’s not happening again. I promised myself.
I raised the Nanashi to the best of my ability, creating a shadow that not only listened to my every word, but also complied and worked without complaint. As much as I would love to get close to this young Viscet, I won’t allow myself in fear of either giving in and taking him in as I have before, or hurting him in return.
Nanashi grew quickly and strong, and I admired his strength to overcome his past, and I couldn’t help but be proud. Of course he wasn’t my own, nor did I raise him to be, and yet… I was glad to see him take up the throne when the time came.
The thing that pains me the most about this situation, however, is the fact that Nanashi never smiles. He never shows emotions or tries to fight back; more or less, I’ve raised him to be stoic and cold; a being devoid of emotions and is unable to be themselves. In a way it made it easier on my part, refusing to attach myself to yet another Viscet only to end all too quickly.
Nanashi’s ceremony came rather quickly; once he was old enough to walk on his hind legs, his abilities skyrocketed and he absorbed information like a sponge, making my heir all the more capable and I was confident in his ability to take my place.
As we stood above the city on a wide awning at the top floor of the castle, we stood in silence. There was nothing to say, no word to share between us. Lilith joined us eventually, an all too knowing look on the Shinigami’s face at what was about to happen. I nodded to them, not trying to fight it. I was ready.
We overlooked the city, a huge crowd gathered under us and stared up at us in awe, quieting once I raised my hand. I felt the String tighten, but I ignored it. “Today, this city is led by a new King,” I declared, taking the crown off my head and placing it atop Nanashi’s. “Treat him kindly, and may his reign be long and successful.” I finished my speech, and the crowd beneath us roared in cheer.
I chanced a glance at Nanashi’s eyes, and his eyes met mine for a brief second before darting away, scanning the crowd below for anything more interesting than myself. His expression was nearly unreadable, but could easily be guessed; fear, anxiousness, perhaps a bit of pain.
I knew that feeling all too well.
“You’ll do great, hon,” I murmured to him as I stepped down, making my exit and leaving the new King atop the awning to address his city. Lilith followed closely.
“Anything else,
Votski?” Lilith asked, but I shook my head.
No, there was nothing else to do.
There was already too much; too much that I regret and too much I wish I could change, but there was nowhere to go but forward from here.I let out a laugh, bracing myself for Lilith’s next move. The Shinigami moved quickly, my mind going blank as they charged me in an instant.
My vision had faded before I could hit the floor, and the last thing I felt was a smile tug at my lips before my vision went cloudy and darkness consumed me.
