"Lived long enough to become a villain"
Meme: Leave ‘Lived long enough to become the villain’ to get a glimpse of my muse being a villain.
「♟♖♞」 This body had reached its limit; regardless of how much dragon blood had been present, it didn’t change the fact that his vessel was still primarily human. One hundred years had been a milestone, but now that his vessel was pushing one hundred-eighty, it started having an adverse effect on his performance. By now, Grima spent most of his energy trying to keep her soul alive rather than trying to keep it suppressed like before. Atterria had withered over the years, and while her body showed gradual aging, she had lived up to her to the full extent of her potential. It was time to get a new vessel.
Unfortunately, the Grimleal had been unable to produce another successful embodiment for him after countless trial and errors. Useless, the whole bunch of them, but that’s what you get for trusting your food to create a new host body for you. Oh well, it wasn’t like he had been backed up into a corner; there was still one option left, though he didn’t find it too appealing.
“Did you find him?” Atterria’s voice rang out, though now it was hoarse with age, “Or do I need to make another example of those who fail me?”
“N-no… we found him—s-sire…” The Grimleal bowed, “we t-took the liberty o-of restraining him and… and— taking away h-his dra-gon s-stone…”
“Quiet, you bumbling idiot,” her voice was a bit deeper this time with the hint of Grima’s own voice mixed in, “bring him to me!”
Yet again, the Grimleal bowed before his master and gestured for his five companions to bring in their prisoner. Oddly enough, the young man they brought in showed no signs of putting up a struggle, and though he had been restrained, he walked forward with his head held high and with no signs of fear in his bright purple eyes. Grima raised a teal brow; the boy had grown; he was no longer the small, cowering teen he had met back when he had first taken possession of Atterria. He had aged, but not significantly; if anything he had lost his boyish appearance and matured into a handsome young man.
“Good to see you again,” his lips curled back into a grin, “Theo~” Theo said nothing, “what? Not going to greet your dear old mother? And here I thought I had raised you better than that.”
“You’re not my mother,” the cerulean haired man retorted, “don’t pretend to be.”
“Tsk… fine, and here I was willing to play pretend to make it easier for you,” he mused.
“What do you want?” Theo demanded, “Finally decided to kill me?”
“Now, now… don’t rush to conclusions, my boy. It’s true that you have been a thorn in my side all these years, but I’ve decided to spare you and even grant you a grand honor.” Grima stood up from his throne and walked down the altar steps. “It seems I have outgrown your mother. I’m in need of a new vessel—”
Theo didn’t need to hear the rest; he knew exactly where this was headed. “No,” he stated boldly and continued, “I refuse to become your host.”
“Oh come now, surely you would like to reconsider my offer?” Grima was now standing in front of the chained prisoner. “After all… you would be freeing your mother’s tired soul.
Theo glared into Grima’s bright crimson eyes; the half-manakete’s features were unmoving and determined. “You took everything from us. Any chance we had at happiness, you stripped away. You butchered our friends, our family, and thousands of others! You really expect me to allow your reign to continue by accepting you into my body? You’re gravely mistaken, monster! I will never accept!”
Grima placed his wrinkly hand on the young man’s chest, the area right above his heart. “Such heated words… I remember them all too well… your dear, precious mother shouted them at me one too many times, and we saw what good that did her.” There was a low chuckling sound, “oh little, poor Theo… you actually believe you have a choice in this.” Grima moved his hand over to the hem of Theo’s shirt, pulling on it to force the buttons out and then exposing the younger male’s chest. “There it is…”
Theo possessed his divine mark right on the chest above the heart, it wasn’t as prominent as the one Atterria had on her right hand, but it was still there. Her accidental magical offspring was far from being the perfect vessel; he was nothing more than the cheap knock-off of the original. He regretted not breeding his vessel when he still had the opportunity, considering that she had been too hesitant to take on a mate before their union. A shame— a natural heir would have been better suited, but now he had to make due with her fluke instead.
“Deny me all you want now, but I can guarantee you… in time, you will accept me in just as your mother did.” He laughed softly as his hand brushed upward, taking a fist full of cerulean hair. “Your resolution and will are not as strong as your mother‘s; you will break far more easily than she did. She was always too feisty and stubborn for her own good. You, on the other hand, have always been too soft and gentle.” He let go and instead brushed the side of his cheek in an almost caring manner. “You’re weak, little Theo— you always have been.”
Theo barred his teeth and glared back at the amused dragon. “We’ll just see about that!”
“Indeed we shall,” Grima continued to smile, “take him away!” The fell dragon turned on his heel and walked back over to his throne, “please show our guest to his quarters— oh and vermin, “he turned around to look at the group, “I think I’d like a feast tonight… please make sure my son is present and dressed appropriately for our little dinner party… understood?”
“Yes sire!” the group called in union before forcing Theo away.
“Ta-ta, till then my little sweet heart~” he sang, “we’ll be waiting.”