Rihcard Aadms

I truly am blessed by the gods. I found a true family in Oswald and Mimi. These slow moments, just talking to her as she makes her chirping sounds to play music. She felt happy and calm, as far as she allowed me to feel from her. It might take some convincing, but Oswald will see his family for what they are. I will be there to help him through thick and thin for however long he has left.

"Yeah, we might have to, but we can try living in the Underground first. There are less rules there, and a few places are empty because of monsters. I'll help you clear them out, as best I can and we can move in." I smiled up at her, watching as she nodded. Really, she was beautiful when she was happy and not pretending to act like a child.

I watched as the crowd of nobles moved and danced. "Hey Mimi, do you think Oswald will appreciate what I did?"

She lowered her head in thought for a few seconds, "Yeah, I think he does appreciate it. If not now, then after everything calms down. He may need time to sort it out though."

I nodded, rubbing my arms. "Yeah, I don't think I can thank you enough for the whole plan earlier."

She grinned, "Don't mention it, especially not here. Though it was your trust that made it work as well as it did."

I laughed a little, "Yeah, we both did it together. It was so satisfying to do it though. Mikey had it coming for a long time."

She tilted her head, "Then I am happy for you Richard."

Then I saw Oswald's head among the crowd of nobles. He was doing a slower dance. He seemed happy enough. Then a woman screamed, as she was shoved out of the way by a man. I saw him draw a dagger, before he shouted. "Oswald Manfred! The Kingdom of Fire sends it's regards!" I could only blink when they twisted the blade, pulling the knife back as a small spray of blood came with it from the old man's new wound. The music stopped, as Oswald fell holding the wound, coughing up blood.

This couldn't be real. There was no way, I watched as the man was slammed to the floor and started convulsing besides Oswald. I looked up to see the Count, as terrifying as ever. My eyes watering, as I could barely make out the other people kneeling. "No..." I whispered to myself. This couldn't be happening, this had to be a mistake. I couldn't hear anything, except my own heart, as I ran towards the old man laying there on the ground.

I skidded to a stop, barely feeling my knee scrape against the floor. I lowered my head, gritting my teeth. This wasn't the time! Oswald was on the ground choking on his blood, and we were being forced to kneel!? Tears rolled down my cheeks, as I felt helpless once again. The Count didn't let up immediately, forcing me to stay there, as I saw Mimi trying to rush forward. Then she slowed down and stopped. Fucking damn it! I slammed my fist into the ground, they just needed to let her sting him. There was still time!

I could hear her joints creak a little, as her knees buckled slightly. I tried to let her feel my emotions, only to catch a glimpse of the weight of her own. My emotions were just added to the pile, as she put everything into resisting the Count. She really was doing her best to reach Oswald as fast as she could. "Mimi save Oswald!" She let out her wail, not understanding if she only bowed she might be able to help him a few seconds faster.

Then I heard the king clapping slowly, his voice low and powerful as always. "Well said! Don't move though." The man slowly descended the stairs, but the Count's power was no longer over us. I lunged forward, half slipping again as people quickly moved out of the way. I managed to grab onto someone's clothes, and used to momentum to lunge again, before half sliding right to Oswald. I slammed my hand on the wound, feeling how cold he was.

I couldn't see, while my own tears blinded me. "Hey, don't worry. I'm hear." I whispered, before tilting my head back and shouting with every bit of strength I had. "Help him! Somebody! Don't just stand there!" I was taking deep breaths, unable to hear anything else as my ears rang. He was so cold, his lips turning blue. He coughed up some more blood, "Don't try to talk, you old bat." I sniffled, trying my best not to sob right on top of him. It wouldn't help him, I needed someone to help him. Why wasn't anyone coming!?

"Ri *cough* Richard." He coughed some more blood into his beard.

"H-hey, don't try to talk. Save your strength." I kept my hand pressed against the hole, he probably had a lung pierced or something. I could hardly even feel his pulse.

His hands were shaking, as he reached into his chest pocket. "I... *cough* I want you to have... *cough cough* this. Everything." The old man pushed it against my chest. I didn't even bother looking to see what it was.

"I said stop moving!" I tore it from his hand, tossing it behind me. "Please..." I shook my head sobbing, "Please save your strength. I don't want you to die. You can't die like this old man. You can't, I won't allow it!" I could barely make out his own tears as he looked at me. He never looked so weak, so pitiful.

"M-men *cough* don't cry lad." He took a shuddering breath.

"They do, when their brother is dying in their arms." I had snot coming out of my nose, but I didn't fucking care. I shouted out again, "Someone please! Anyone! He can't die!" I coudn't hear anyone else, it was like it was just me and him.

"I'm *cough* I'm sorry." Oswald let out a long breath, and stopped breathing.

I grabbed his hand, "Don't you fucking die! Don't you fucking die on me!" I felt searing pain in my heart, as I slammed my head into his chest trying to hear his heart beat. There was nothing there, and I couldn't slam on his chest to force him to breath again. I'd just push more blood out. Then I saw the shadow of our King standing over me. I couldn't hear him, but I looked up at his face. "Please, please help him."

The man looked down at me, frowning the world like blue mist around us. "I'm sorry, but he has to go."

"NO! Take me instead! Don't let him die like this! Please!" I looked up at him, begging.

He narrowed his eyes, "Grief chases us all, and I am glad you loved him. I will let you see him again, so please grow strong until then."

The mist disappeared, and we were back at the ball, the Count reaching for Oswald. I grabbed his wrist, terrified. Oswald would never want to become a vampire. I looked up at the Count, then the king. "P-please... let Mimi try. Her stings can heal anything."

The man looked at me with pity, "Fine." He harshly whispered, before grabbing Oswald. I watched as the Count closed the distance to Mimi with a single quick step. Oswald in front of her, as she quickly stung him. Her stings always worked, she could save him from this. He wasn't even fully dead yet.

Then nothing happened. I barely heard the words, Nuz venom. That Mimi needed magic to heal. The words shouldn't work together for her. Mimi broke all the rules, she could do anything. I just looked at her, begging her to save him still. If she couldn't it wasn't her fault, those few seconds could have saved Oswald. It wasn't the King's fault, it wasn't the Count's fault... It was my fault. I should have dragged him to her. I could have done something, I should have.

My body felt too heavy, as I couldn't see anything. Grief washed over me, pulling me deeper and deeper down into it's cold embrace. My heart burning, as I merely called out my brother's name. If I didn't challenge his family, he wouldn't have been in a state of shock. If I had just left things alone, he wouldn't be dead. He could have noticed the assassin, he was used to attempts like this. He told me how he had to deal with the man on the walls when Mimi came back. He said he was going to stay on alert.

I killed him, because I wanted him to know someone cared for him. I caused this, it's all my fault.

all my fault...

All my fault...

All my fault!

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Oswald Manfred

I'm so sorry Richard, I truly am. I never should have doubted you. I never should have put you through this. I wish I could spin this into something noble, that this pain might make you stronger in the end. I wish I could say this was a pain I felt before, but it really wasn't. I hurt you in a way no one else could. I used you, to get away from my family. The family you fought against tonight to try and save me. I couldn't even thank you.

I wish I had told you, anything to soften the blow. Charles lied about the poison. The assassin was just a prisoner we intercepted about a year ago. He wanted his name to be remembered for killing me, and we gave that to him because it served our purposes. Charles was going to send his head back on a silver platter with a declaration of war against the Kingdom of Fire.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

I know they have been at war with us for a few generations now, but this time we are sending a statement that we will now attack them. Eclipse will claim the Western land bridge, and the port cities on the Great Sea. My name was used to bring more suffering to people, and I agreed to let it happen with Mal. I let you be used, to let slip the wolves of war.

Even now, I could only apologize one last time before being carried away by the Count. He was even so nice, as to let me watch your crumpled form, crying out my name. The Count knew I was a coward, and it was too late to turn back now. The pain I feel likely cannot begin to compare to your own. At this point, I don't even know if Charles will protect you. All I can do is ask him for your sake.

I was carried down the halls, as the Count used his magic to extract blood from a few butlers with their arms out and ready. They sliced their forearms, and a trickle formed into a small ball in front of us. The Count set me down, as I used my magic to restart my heart. I didn't need to breathe, I didn't really need blood anymore. As long as my brain was intact, I could continue moving. Though it became so much harder without flesh to keep the bacteria out.

A maid set down some supplies, as I quickly mixed the ingredients and prepared the blood with my tonic. Then I used my own magic to guide it into my body to replace what I lost, before getting up. Charles offered my cane back to me, which I took without a word. "Oswald, it's been too long. Walk with me."

I took a deep breath, hanging my head down. "Sure thing. Are we going to talk and walk this time, or should I wait?"

Charles tilted his head, before smiling. "I'll let you stew a little, you need some time to think. Plus I have a surprise for you."

I tapped my cane on the floor before walking. "Great, you always were a shit when it came to surprises."

Charles walked just ahead of me, while laughing. "Sure, sure. So what if I died to the monster lord, and took over this shit stain's body? Really not that different compared to shoving your whole hand up a puppet's ass."

I rolled my eyes a little, as the Count mended the wounds on the butlers, choosing to stay behind. "Don't make me laugh Charles, that shit wasn't funny then, and it sure as the hells isn't funny now."

Charles shrugged, "See? You just keep getting crankier and crankier. What ever happened to outliving me twice over?"

I let out a small sigh, "That was before your talent let you just take over people. I want you to promise me something Charles."

Charles snapped his fingers before letting out his own sigh. "Yeah, yeah. I won't betray you like that. Princess knows she's off limits, and the boy too. Believe it or not, this actually helps him in the long run."

I raised a brow, "Really? How's that?"

Charles smiled, "I always was a terrible liar, here I said I'd let you stew. Anyway, he's going to tread the edges of his focus while crying over you. In his own way of coping, he'll manage to spend a couple months like this, with the bug bringing him back before it gets too dangerous. Want to guess how far he'll get?"

I clenched my jaw a little, at the fact the lad was going to spend two entire months crying over me. "He might get his entire hand, and that's being generous."

Charles tutted before shaking his head. "He manages that after a couple weeks. You really shouldn't underestimate the dedication he has when he's trying to not feel bad."

I made a bitter face, before looking down as we kept walking. "You're still shit at cheering people up, you know that?"

Charles grinned, "That's because you want to know the answer anyway. He gets his entire arm from the shoulder down. He could control two limbs if he really set his mind to it, but he'll end up just keeping the one arm to grow his focus."

"Fuck! You sure the lad doesn't have a talent? It took me twenty five years to get that far!" I managed to smile with pride at hearing Richard wouldn't just make it through this, that he'll bloody well thrive!

Charles laughed his same evil laugh, "Right? The boy is a natural talent. Which kind of confirms Silver's ideas that strife helps perpetuate the growth of one's soul. Kind of explains why those with nothing else to lose, are able to rise up when they get together."

I nodded slowly, "Just like us then, except they don't have the Queen's help."

Charles shrugged, "Eh, I'm an old man now that has lived far too long. Oh! You didn't even ask about the surprise, or if there is more than one."

I continued walking with him, "I'll find out when I get there. One last thing, before I give you the last bit of what life I have left. Please tell me, my dearest friend. Will the lad ever forgive me?"

We stopped in front of the door to Charles' room. He tilted his head, then smiled back at me, "Give it two years, and ask him yourself. You're going to need help, and he's going to talk to you. I'm not going to tell you what happened, because you wouldn't even send me a message telling me. Though you were smiling, when you got back. I can't be certain if that's because you were happy with what you heard, or just so relieved to be back."

I raised a brow, "Anything else I should know?"

Charles shrugged, "What's the point in telling you everything now? You'll figure it out when you get there." He opened the door, to his dimly lit room.

It was a large with a huge bed in the center. I saw a small girl with snow white hair, long enough to go past her hips. She was covered in bandages, while drawing something on a pile of pages that were stacked neatly. Then I saw the dwarf bound and gagged, right next to box. Both were in a cage, that was warded to keep the little child from getting close to it. Every shade in the room was a gentle purple besides the individuals mentioned earlier. The drapes over the windows. The curtains hanging on the bed, the dark purple wood of the dresser.

I scratched my beard, as Charles closed the door behind me. He made his way to the bed, sitting on the foot of it. He sat forward, hands together, waiting for me to just ask what was going on. Which knowing Charles, the girl was a good surprise, and the two in the cage were bad ones.

It clicked with the cage, as I let out a deep groan, "Fucking hells Charles, the Northern Kingdom is infested with Mimics and Doppelgangers!?"

Charles held his ribs while laughing, "Yep, and they waited two years before really trying to contact us. They want you to find out who's who, and exterminate everything. It's so bad, they even brought you presents." He gestured to the cage with the two.

I slumped a little, letting out a deep sigh. "I thought we killed all of them, when we found their nest in one of the tunnels."

Charles laid back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "Right? I thought so too, but you know what we didn't check close enough?"

"You better not say the saddles, we burned those fuckers first." They should be extinct! What could we possibly have missed!?

Charles sat back up, to look me in the eyes. "We didn't check the library. I didn't figure it out, until after the Fire kingdom sent their little fuck boy to become monster king."

The little girl looked at Charles with a glare, and he put his hands up defensively, "Fine, barb breather. You know, it's not nice to just sit there drawing. Come little one, I want to see if Oswald recognizes you." He patted his lap, as the little one seemed to reluctantly put her drawing utensils away. She ran the first half of the way, before stopping. Then she held her stomach with a wince, before walking the rest of the way.

I looked her over, to see she was covered in bandages, with one eye having gauze over it. What skin I could see had runic tattoos on it. Powerful ones, but nothing I could make out from how little I saw. Plus she was wearing a silver white dress with spiders along the bottom. My eyes went wide, as I knelt before her. "Charles, is this... can it be?"

He grinned, patting our Queen on the head, "Yep, finally got a decent talent for her. Problem was the bodies we were using. The old ones were already bonded and left residue inside the bodies. They weren't prepared for Silver's soul. This kid is the result of me kicking the shit out of some splicers until we got a body able to contain her soul. Then I slapped on the talent known as Soothing Soul, and spent a couple decades beating that little shit until it soothed her soul. It isn't perfect, but she's not in pain right now. Well physically her body will develop tears, and cuts. Kind of the process with healing, but so much better than her soul tearing itself apart because it's split in two."

The Queen, punched Charles under his chin, causing him to grin as he bit his tongue. "Got me good there. Can't wait til your body stops freaking out." She gave me a light kick to the face, before going back to her drawings.

I smiled gently, before standing up. "She has every right to be upset, you know."

Charles let out a small sigh, "Yeah, but Eclipse can't function without me leading it. I can't function without Silver, and even though it hurt her all these years, she still hasn't given up. I asked Princess if she wanted to stop, to let both of them die, and she always said the same thing. She wants to see how big we get, so she can topple it down."

"I see, the same thing she said back when we first met her." I smiled at how young we were back then.

Charles rubbed his jaw, "Yeah, and I'm expecting big things out of the bug your boy brought in. Turns out, if I let her grow, she'll get strong enough to help Silver. When she does, I'm taking a fucking vacation and letting her rule until Richard dies."

I tilted my head, "What happens if you don't help her?"

Charles laid back to stare at the ceiling, "I had to meet her to find out. No matter how I approach it, it's death. I need to help her in a certain way, otherwise whatever the fuck is following her gets pissy. It creeps closer every time I try to look at it, just daring me to fuck up so it can kill me. I don't think it's like the demons guarding the monolith."

I lowered my head, "An older demon, from the darkest day they talk about?"

Charles shivered, "Fuck if I know, thing might have been the cause of the darkest day. In other news, fucker is going to die when Richard dies. Don't ask how, or why. I have no idea, and I don't care. All I know is after it dies, my vacation is over."

I nodded slowly, "Why are you telling me all of this exactly?"

Charles smiled, "Well you'll be long dead by that point. I know you don't want a new young body, because you aren't cool like me or Mal. Even Silver's doing it. Sure you don't wanna at least try it?"

I shook my head, "No thanks, once my body can't be used anymore, I'm done. I killed a lot of people for you, I want to just move on and be judged when my time comes."

"Yeah, makes sense." He grinned, "Can't say I blame you, but I really will hate to see you go. If nothing else, you deserve to die when you feel like it. Anyway, the cage is going to your room, and a butler will guide you there. I need to drag myself out of bed, and give the bug some human rights. Don't worry about the book." He held it up in the air, "I'll give it to Richard when he's ready. Though the bug has perfect memory and already read it."

I nodded, as he tossed it onto his pillow without getting up. Then groaned, before jumping out of bed and rolling his shoulders. "Thank you Charles. Don't worry about the doppelgangers and mimics. I'll make certain they go extinct this time."

I opened the door behind me, as Charles let out a yawn, "Yeah, yeah. Heard it before, but now we're both older. We do shit right this time, and we keep the world from devastation. We'll unite all people, and yadda yadda. Don't you give me that look Silver, it's your motto. What? You want me to strike a pose!?" I closed the door, as the butler waved me down.

Even despite knowing how things would turn out, there was the problem of actually getting there. Charles wasn't the type to lie about what he saw. I would go two entire years without seeing Richard, and there was the chance he might not forgive me. Seeing the future was strange that way, in that any tiny little change could set so many other things into motion. Still, he helped me feel just good enough to tackle what could very well be an entire nation of what I hated most in this world. Really, just fuck mimics.