WARNING: This shit might be cringe and stupid, violence, swearing (obviously), language barrier, reader might accidentally be out of character Freya, late post & poor writing (mb gng)
Bold and slanted words are Chinese speak (not written Chinese for those confused)
NOTE: I accidentally posted this... It was not my intention to post this, I was planning for next week but since some have already read this, I'll just add more to the story that I was planning to anyway, so if you read it already. More content! I guess... (Nov. 30, 2024)
REQUEST ARE OPEN AND LIST IS HERE
The veins in my brain spiked with pain, tapping and poking on my face in hoping I wake up. Opening my eyes, I see many small creatures in front of me. Sitting up, I scooted back but they statutes to run towards me. On my feet, I made my stance to attack.
“Falk-!” Before conjuring my spell, something landed in front of me. The creatures stopped running in front of me as they saw, a staff?
I walked and crouched down to the staff, examining it. I’ve never seen a staff of such a design. Before I could touch it, the staff moved before firing back, a hairy hand grasped the pole. Turning towards the individual, he see, he a bit flash in my opinion. He stood on top on branch of a tree, merely felt intimidated.
“Who are you?” He spoke, the language is not to my knowledge. He noticed my confusion and intimation. The pain from my head came back. I fell to my knees, feeling the sharpness of the twigs and sticks. I lost my consciousness as I heard a thump.
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"What do we do with her? She's clearly from the outside world." Erlang spoke, gazing upon you. Wukong walked from walking scoffing and scratching his head.
"The hell am I supposed to do? She landed on my mountain, clearly rude if you ask me." Erlang chuckled at Wukong who was clearly pissed that you landed on his mountain unattended and rudely. Or so he says.
Erlang continues to examine you, he saw your tattoos on your arms, wondering if there were like you. But you, he wonders what your tattoos mean.
"Her attire is uncivilized. She's a fighter, her markings on her arms and she's barefoot. She looks human, but her soul is not mortal." He brushed a few hair strands away from your face, getting a better look at your face and to see you have any injuries.
Wukong quickly turned towards Erlang, did he hear him correctly?
"Not mortal? What do you mean? No human can be immortal!? Are you certain?" He walked over to you. A disdain look he gave. Exactly who were you?
The moment later, guards forced their way into the room, causing you to wake up. You got up quick, grabbing at your sword but then realized they aren't there. You hold your stance as the guard aimed their spears at you.
Erlang and Wukong entered the room, and Erlang came forward slowly. His hands raised up, preaching for peace.
"Reframe from violence, we are not here to harm you " He spoke. You furrowed your eyes and tilted your head in confusion. Wukong scoffed and rolled his eyes. "See, she's stupid. Doesn't even understand what's going on."
"I don't think it's stupidity, she just doesn't stand our language. A common thing. We'll teach her our ways, if she seems troubling to the balance, kill her if you must. If she was not important in her homeworld, she wouldn't be important here."
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Years have passed by and you managed to learn their language, they saw you were already a fight but peaked your interest in teaching you to different techniques.
Wukong realized how smart you are but he still holds criticism towards you and likes to boast about his ego. Of course, you didn't pay too much mind to him.
As much as he hates to admit, he does not like seeing you with Erlang, he usually sees the both of you spar and how he looks at you. Even the praises that Erlang gives you makes him irritated.
You arrived at Mount Huaguo seemingly to drop something off for Wukong. The announcement of your arrival scurry the Monkey King off his throne. He hurried out, spotting you with the young one. You smiled and pet them as they brushed their heads against yours and your hands.
Up in a tree, Wukong was going to haul you off his mountain but seeing how gently you were with the young one, he just kept watching you. What seemed to be long enough, you asked the little ones for their king.
Wukong cleared his throat catching your attention. You set some of the infants down before bowing towards the Monkey King. "Your Majesty, I've come to-"
"Who are you?" He interrupted.
"Huh..." He left a bit speechless, but you answered.
"Not sure if it mattered but, Y/N. I fell in your mountain a few years back."
"I know who you are.." he rolled his eyes, scoffing a chuckle.
You let out a hum, you knew interacting with him wasn't going to be easy. Nor fun. "Well, alright. I have this scroll from the Celestial Court and-"
"The Court!?!" He then groaned, "Now what do they want?"
"They're expecting an answer for your return." You held out the scroll. Visibility to his sight.
Wukong looked at you with an uninviting gaze. He sighed before jumping off the tree, walking up to you. Taking the scroll from your hand and looking at you, you were slightly taller than him.
He opens the scroll reading it. You felt a land at your shoulder appearing an infant, you rubbed underneath its chin. Without notice, Wukong stole a few glances here and there of the scroll and you. Pretty amazing how the infants took a liking to you.
He cleared his throat, catching your attention again. He then tossed the scroll behind him rolling his head and turning away from.
"Tell them I still decline. I have a life here and I wish to keep it that way." You nodded before turning around, the infant jumped off your shoulder.
"But then there's you." You turned back around as he continued, "Why be so naive to work under the Court, you're an Outsider. They thought you once dumb, but your bright, smarter even, but this isn't your smartest run. You'll see eventually that Courts want nothing but a lapdog." He turns away from you.
"And what exactly do you get off of this? Why tell me?" He appears right in front of you, you stumbled back but he grabs your arm pulling you closer.
"The Court is not what they all seem. They seem wonderful and prideful, but they'll use you to their advantage. You're strong, so they'll use you at any change they'll get." He then laughed madly.
"Don't be a fool!" Jump from one tree to another, he disappeared.
Leaving you in question and wonder, you think more about the Monkey King after returning to the Court.
Here's this, as I said before, I was NOT wanting to post this until next week but somehow I posted it anyways. It was in my drafts since like Tuesday, so I don't know what happened today, but yeah, here's this. I might make a part two, if so do expect it to be good. I'm not too good or knee in writing, but I do my best. So if you are interested in this story, let me know. I'll make a part two. And yeah.
I think I finalized the designs for this au + came up with a name for it! hopefully I'll be able to expand it.
descriptions/backstories under cut:
Luffy: aspiring space pirate. he grew up on a small, rather unknown planet before setting off to build his crew. as in canon, he wants to be king of the pirates. he is constantly on the run from the Universal Government. his species is characterized by their stretchy abilities, however they are very averse to water. they were thought to be extinct. he keeps having random run-ins with five certain other people though...
Kris: possible hero of a prophecy that has long plagued the universe. they live in a spaceship as one of two humans in a mostly-alien community. they, along with a couple of their friends (of which they gained very recently) can't seem to keep out of trouble wherever they dock. unbeknownst to most, they are the host of a multidimensional parasite in the shape of their SOUL who is frankly along for the ride just as much as they are.
Izuku: wants to work in the Universal Government as a Hero. as a human, which are quite rare to find in civilized space, it was hard to get any Hero School to accept him. with the help of the number one Hero though, he managed to get a spot, as well as some interesting new abilities. however, he never made it to the school. the ship he was on was attacked and he was separated. he was found by someone with very similar passions and driving forces as him, Ave the two of them now work as vigilantes adrift in the universe.
Dib: paranormal investigator. after getting completely sick of being on earth, he ran away in a 'borrowed' spaceship. his curiosity about aliens, slight lack of morals, and general impulsivity have gotten him into more than a few tight situations, and he's gotten himself banned from several planets. he's pretty handy and good with mechanical things, so he's managed to keep himself alive with self-made armor and tools. after he rescued another human from a shipwreck, he quickly bonded with this person who had the same spark of curiosity and drive as him. they travel the stars as vigilantes together.
Frisk: youngest dreemurr child. they follow their older sibling in adventures on various worlds, making far more friends than they reasonably should. they get into a lot of trouble with their mischievous streak they inherited from their older sibling. they have an affinity for SOUL magic, an ability unique to humans. with their DETERMINATION, they can reset any bad timeline. they haven't really needed to use this ability though... yet.
Shigeo: average schoolboy. he grew up in a populous outpost with his family of his parents and younger brother. he is a psychic, and an incredibly powerful one at that. he follows the directions of his master, another 'psychic.' they often leave the outpost to help people, and he's met a lot of interesting people. he is very repressed, scared of releasing his powers through his emotions. his species isn't known for psychic abilities, leaving him with very little direction (other than his master) on how to control them. he does like to use his powers to help people though.
whoooo that was long. glad I was finally able to write out and share my ideas though!!
Untitled Transformers Prime x Murder Drones one-shot
(Trigger warning for robot gore and fictional death. I also wrote this spur of the moment, so apologies for any mistakes. Here we go!)
After that meeting, Soundwave left as soon as he could. He could feel something. Something developing, but he couldn't put a name to what it was. He suspected Laserbeak could sense it too from his absence. Soundwave couldn't shake the thought that Laserbeak was avoiding him, which is especially unusual.
As Soundwave continued down the hall, a sudden weight entered his helm. It was harsh. He picked up the pace. Perhaps he should visit Knockout again. The last time he did, he found that grenade inside of Laserbeak, thanks to those Autobots. Maybe they transplanted something that would affect him, too.
The more he tried to unravel the source of this odd sensation, the worse it felt. The dull lights within The Nemesis were beginning to brighten. The steps of his own stabilizers practically thundering. He needed a place to hide.
The medbay is halfway across the ship from this sector. Soundwave felt like he wasn't gonna make it. He lifted his gaze, spotting a nearby closed off room. Despite his own sprinting tormenting him, it felt like his life depended on making it into this room.
He winces from the screech of the metal beneath him once he halted and slammed his servo on the scanner to let him in. The door finally slid open after what felt like a beat too long. Soundwave bolted in and crumbled onto the cold metal floor.
Soundwave weakly lifted in quivering hand up whilst the scanner was too far to reach. As if he willed it to happen, his fingers sprung open with a bright yellow symbol appearing before it to slam the entrance shut.
The Decepticon's arm dropped to his side. He laid there on his chassis in silence for what felt like an eternity, unsure if this attempt to seclude himself was even aiding the dreadful pain. This all felt ridiculous.
How can the "Eyes and Ears of the Decepticons" not handle the dim lights of the warship?
How can the "Eyes and Ears of the Decepticons" ache from the sounds of his own treading?
And what was that yellow light that materialized in front of his servo? Soundwave lowered his helm to look down at it, unfurling his spindly fingers. He waited to see if it would show up again.
Soon enough, he spotted a blurry sliver of that same light on his palm, though lacking the shape it was before. It didn't take him long at all to figure out where it was coming from. Once Soundwave moved his servo, he could see that same shade on the reflective metal below him. It was on his helm.
Soundwave was alarmed, watching his purple glow blipping to yellow one by one. He attempted to pull himself up, but the energon coursing through him felt as though it was trying to boil him alive within his own plating. By some miracle, he got himself onto his kneeplates and servos.
His vision was clouded by an internal warning. A temperature warning. No scrap his temperature was failing! His screen scrambled through codes within his system to find the root of the problem. Without an explanation, it went blank. How did he get locked out of his own system?
It was unclear until another message popped to explain itself in a human writing language.
"Admin: Soundwave has been blocked by Absolute[Solver.exe]"
And another.
"Don't worry. You will not be discarded :]"
Without giving Soundwave a moment to process, a torturous shock erupts from the lower half of Soundwave's faceplate. Little shards of glass plummeting down to the ground. Soundwave could feel it coming again, like something is trying to escape his screen
He clapsed his servos over the leaking cracks. Tiny droplets of energon slip through his fingers. Drip. Drip. Drip. The Decepticon stared as his reflected lights. The last purple ones blinking until... they turn to yellow, too.
The bottom half of his screen bursts open, causing Soundwave to stumble and fall with his back against the wall. There wasn't anything he could do. He's locked out of his body. This was the end of the Decepticon's communication officer. He was certain of it.
Footsteps echoed down the hall, approaching the door of the room he trapped himself in. Two knocks banged against it. He felt his spark drop, praying to Primus that he wouldn't come in.
"Soundwave? Are you in there?" It was one of the Vehicon Troopers. "Lord Megatron wishes to see you on the upper deck," he explained further. "I believe it has to do with how Laserbeak has been reluctant to return to the battlefield."
Soundwave's spark chamber shuddered. He could feel it changing. The Absolute Solver claiming it as its own. His body is no longer his, and it never will be again. He couldn't even muster the strength to warn the trooper. His time was up.
"..Should I uh.. should I come in, sir?" The Vehicon hesitantly asked. "..I'm gonna hope the silence means yes." The doors slid open as the trooper stepped back with a horrified gasp. He rushed to his superior's side.
"OH MY PRIMUS!" He exclaimed, resting his servo on Soundwave's shoulder. "What the- how did this..." The trooper couldn't think of what to ask about first. The yellow lights, why he's even in here, or the hole in his face. His gaze drifted to it, especially.
It felt horrific to see. The glass was cracked as if it was in the form of an Insecticon's maw. Horrible, jagged shards hanging down. When he pulled himself away from the injured Decepticon, Soundwave's helm hung low. Was he dead?
"Ohh frag. I-I gotta go tell Lord Megatron immediately." He told himself to try to stir up some courage, only to flinch from the door into this room shutting. That's strange. This door is one of the only ones that doesn't automatically shut itself since there's nothing in this room.
He placed his servo on the scanner. Access denied? He tried again. The door wasn't registering his servo. Right as he was about to ask about it, the panel short circuited, leaving him without a way to leave.
"Oh, come on! I thought we fixed this!" He sighed, gliding his servo down the door. The trooper paused, hearing hushed steps behind him and spotting faint yellow light reflecting off the door.
He whipped around to see his superior looming ahead of him, standing there for a moment. `Is... is he still alive? I mean, I suppose if he's standing there.` He scrambled to rationalize the sight ahead of him.
Before he could speak, this yellow insignia he's never seen before emitted from Soundwave's face. The Vehicon takes a step back, just before he lunges. The broken screen seemed to have twisted in a malicious grin as he grabbed the trooper.
His servos wrapped toward his neck, preventing him from screaming before throwing him across the room. The back of his helm hit the wall. He groaned as he feebly lifed his gaze to look at him. The trooper recognized the sound of his superior's extra arms slinking out from the chestplate.
His arm changed into his blaster a second too late before one of the tube arms grasped it tight, almost crushing it. The other wrapped itself around the Vechicon, yanking him to the floor. He squirmed to no avail. Soundwave wasn't letting go.
This felt like a nightmare. He peered straight up at the communications officer standing over him. Soundwave crouched down, laying his servos on both sides of the trooper's head.
"Pl-please! Soundwave! Have mercy!" He pleaded as he felt Soundwave gradually pull more and more. Holding his helm tighter and tighter. The trooper began to scream for help, attempting to escape, only for the grip around his chestplate to constrict further.
"PLEASE, SOMEBODY! HELP!! ANYBOT! PLEASE!! HEL-" The scream cut off with a gruesome snap. The smaller cables in his neck eventually splitting. Drip. Drip. Drip. Energon leaking out the trooper's disconnected helm. Soundwave pulled it towards him, yanking out parts of it and feeding it to the hole in his screen.
This program. This Solver. It needed matter. This poor trooper was merely just the first victim to satiate its hunger. It will be satisfied for the time being from this sacrifice, but it won't last forever. There must be more. There will be more.
If just platonic is preferred lemme know I'll.. Fix another list up
— OH MY GOD WHERE DO I START. I wondered in my head over and over who would like fall first but honestly either way is like, super cute…
— Like Kohane would be saying "Haha I see why Minori-chan really likes her idols so much, they really do make your heart beat with a single smile, huh?" But then that's like, just for Kohaku
— So like imagine initially her acting completely normal with him but when she realizes that she has a crush on him, she becomes a bit more fidgetty and Kohaku's just ❓ Did? He do?? Something wrong???
— And like he has to be assured he isn't at fault (Well he is but not in the way he thinks he is.) So he chalks it up as Kohane's personality, just being like that, she is rather timid afterall, and it was still a rather cute part of her personality…
— BUT, I CAN IMAGINE AN EXACT MOMENT FOR KOHAKU FALLING FOR HER.
— Like getting whiplashed with how different Kohane is on stage vs offstage for the first time. And that being something that just, rattles him, from then on. She was first cute, then cool, then a cute hampter all over again, but, overall super pretty eitherway too
— Not to mention and her personality is both very kind and considerate, while also being so passionate and ambitious to the point of dazzling opposite from him, he'd think
— So like at very least, between them two, Kohane is the one who comes to terms with having a crush first
— KOHAKU HOWEVER. would be oblivious, confused and even in denial to an extent. Sort of… Trying to rationalize it
— But that's because he has no experience with this lovey-dovey stuff, how could he? He was locked up in his own home for 15 years.
— However, he is sure of enjoying her presence, it feels very safe and comforting
— Even when he's clueless about something basic she doesn't take the opportunity to tease him as others do (even if they mean it lightheartedly)
— I imagine Kohaku's main love language being like quality time but in the "I want to experience things with you" sort
— He invites her out a lot whenever they have a moment, especially places he hasn't been to yet, if he's going to experience it for the first time then he's sure it'll feel warmer with her next to him during then
— Though, it doesn't always have to be grand adventures, the two of them's favorite place to be is a cafe, so that's where they relax together as well with their sweet drinks comfortably
— Well until someone stumbles upon them and mistakens them for being on a date
— Actually, was it a mistake? No, they're being messed with on purpose too. They both get so embarrassed and the reaction's too funny for most of their friends to pass up the opportunity to poke fun at them
— Speaking of dates, Phennyland date. Phennyland date.
— Kohane was really excited to show him around the place though to be honest Kohaku enjoyed seeing her so happy much more than playing with the attractions
— Oh but Kohaku both loathes the haunted house of Phennyland for exposing his really stupid and childish weakness to jumpscares and ghosts, but also thankful to it. Because he got to hold hands with Kohane the whole way through and he nearly combusted
— The others mention Kohaku kinda just.. Seems like a completely normal teenage boy when he's with her honestly, he's not trying to act mature, in fact he's a little awkward but cute and authentic
Forging of an Empress: Ch 1. A Glass Floor Partnership
Zannah, Emperor of the 'Kikai Empire' was losing hope.
The young woman was still in exile, seeking out the last of her people scattered across the continent. Her last trip led her to Labrynna, where she had to make deals and do favours for the lords that kept her people as refugees until a new home could be acquired. Both Hyrule and Danjur exiled them for the destruction Zannah and her people caused in the War of Fire. That was only three years ago. Now, turning twenty in three days, she was picking up the last of the pieces.
Al-Daida was rumored to be holding her strongest warriors. If she could convince them that her claim to the throne was justified, the rest of her people would rally to her. Truth was, she knew little of the country. Unfortunately, she could only travel with one escort. A single Theron guard. Given a basic map from the lords of Labrynna, she followed a long road through dry desert heats and finding roads to reach the capital city. "Din. Water please."
The black armoured warrior offered a thermos, which the princess found there was only a few drops left.
"Great." As the sun bared down on her, Zannah tried to not pant. The city must have been close.
Meanwhile, in Matriarch Fayruz's palace, she was enjoying the attentions of her newest additions. Well, somewhat new. She had acquired these lovely warriors during the War of Fire with the Kikai Empire. Needless to say, the Hasai were somewhat unruly at first. Once free, but now sold to her by the gladiator rings who had found them half-dead on the battlefield and nursed back to health for entertainment.
"Now, now, don't fuss, there's plenty of love for everyone." Fayruz told her bed mates when one hissed at the other. "I know you don't like to share, but there's more than enough of me for all my little pets." She kissed the cheek of one Hasai male, then the other, and even a beautiful female. "Bennu still needs me in one piece for our meeting later. I shouldn't remind you of how you have to act. Are you going to behave?"
A knock came at her door. A servant bowed his head, being respectful as possible to not insult the Matriarch. "My Matriarch. I bring news to you. There is a green skinned Hasai accompanied by a bodyguard in black and red armour asking around about the whereabouts of other Hasai."
Most of the Hasai that Fayruz owned were broken, but the blue skinned woman looked up, a sense of shock filling her. "Princess Zannah?"
"Ah, the princess? I thought she was dead from the war." Fayruz stood from the bed in her silken robes. "Help me dress, little pets. Tell the newcomer that if she wishes to know more information of her people to come to the palace. Have Bennu cancel the meeting and we'll receive the princess instead. This is quite a lovely distraction."
"Yes, my Matriarch."
Down in the town, Zannah was about to lose her cool when a man asked her bodyguard if she was for sale. She flashed the slaver a flash of fire. "Back off."
"Are you Princess Zannah?"
Zannah and her bodyguard turned to the palace servant. He had a mark on his shoulder that told others exactly who owned him. "Yes. I am Zannah. I hold both the title of Emperor and Empress in the absence of a husband."
"My humblest apologies... Emperor. My Matriarch wishes to have an audience about the Hasai you seek."
Zannah felt her hair stand on its end. This was what she was looking for. "Take me to this Matriarch."
"Of course. Of course." Arriving at the palace, the servant was quick to whisper to Fayruz as Zannah waited outside for the Matriach to prepare herself. "My Matriarch. She claims to be both Empreror and Empress of the Kikai Empire."
Fayruz was always one for finery. The best of the best and nothing less was acceptable. As the servants escorted in the princess and her bodyguard, the pair walked over a bridge. There was a tiny moat on the inside of the throne room, with crystal clear water from the nearby river flowing through it. The floors were made of marble and the columns holding up the open courtyard roof were composed of matching stone with elaborate engravings. The Hasai servants were by her fainting couch, one holding a tray of fruit and cheese while the other held wine. Her husband, Bennu, stood at her side, stoic and intimidating as ever. "It is a delight to see that you are alive. I heard rumors that you were with the spirits now." Fayruz looked at how ragged the princess was. "Why are you in my country, child? You have to know there are no friends for you here."
Although Zannah was in mere robes, she would not be the weaker link here. Her entire three-year journey was an uphill battle of keeping her mental fortitude strong. "Rumors of my death were greatly exaggerated. Child? You look about the same age as I, Matriarch. I am here in your country because I am here to collect my people. The time has come for all the Hasai to become united once more. This is my right as Emperor. This is my duty as Empress." Her brows furled at the sight of the Hasai servants serving her. "The Hasai people are not slaves."
"A child thinks he or she has a right to demand whatever it is they wish." Fayruz's dark eyes lifted upward from her chalice of wine. "And that's exactly why you're here, isn't it? To demand back your people?" She stood from her chair and gently cupped the blue female's chin. "Though I've grown quite fond of my little pets. They are beautiful, fierce, and very loving in bed. I've no wish to part with them." She then returned her gaze to Zannah. "And you've nothing to offer."
"I know I cannot simply take them away." Zannah took a silent breath as she assessed the situation. And to cool her growing fury. "I offer an alliance with my Empire. A partnership. As of now, I have nothing except my word to offer."
Zannah's bodyguard felt their fist tighten. His Empress' anger was his own.
"Allying myself with a dead kingdom? What foolishness do you speak of? A word is nothing unless you have a foundation to build it upon, and child, you have nothing but ruins underneath your feet." Fayruz scoffed at Zannah's statement. "This is Al-Daida. Words mean nothing here. It is actions." Her silken dress trailed behind her as she circled around another Hasai, one of the males, and kissed his cheek tenderly. "Tell me, child, would you offer yourself to save them?"
"I would rather kill them so that they retain their honour." Her hands sparked with electricity, and her bodyguard took aim at one of the Hasai servants with dart-wrist launcher. "To offer myself would destroy what's left of the Empire. I will not sell myself and have the Empire lose the last of its strength. If you will not return me my people, I'd rather see them burn so that there will be no weak Hasai left."
Although they were two Hasai, and might as well be the only Hasai left on the earth as far as Fayruz was concerned, they weren't willing to throw their honour away so easily.
"Hm, seems that you've already learned a few hard lessons, being in a position of power." Fayruz did not even flinch when the guard raised his weapon and Zannah summoned her electricity. "Oh, and if I were you, I'd lower that little sparky show and toy of yours. Naunet doesn't appreciate any threats in my presence and she's right behind you."
The monstrous crocodile released a low growl from behind Zannah and her bodyguard. It was far larger than normal for the breed. Yet, what many people did not know was Naunet was half drake and half crocodile; hence her strong body armor and lengthy size. For now, she did not move, except for a small flick of her tail. The matriarch continued, "Is honor more important than life to your people?"
Zannah and her Theron wisely lowered their weapons and magic. Zannah wondered indeed. "Tell me what exactly it is you want from me? I'm sure we can come to some sort of enragement that benefits us both."
"You stated you'd offer an alliance, but you don't even know how to strike a proper bargain or make requests of another royal." Once again, Fayruz asked, "Would you offer yourself for people? Behind every glorious kingdom is a king or a queen who knows how to run their country smoothly and keep their citizens happy. If you are not even ready to do that, then you have no right to call yourself 'princess' of the Hasai." She slowly took the steps downward, one by one. "This is what I propose, little one. True, I am only a few years older than you, yet, I have my entire country under my thumb... and they love me for it. Yet, at the same time, they know I would do whatever necessary to protect them." The matriarch stopped mere inches away from Zannah's face. She was incredibly beautiful, extremely sly, and terrifyingly powerful with her movements, her seduction, and her poetic words. "You want to offer me an alliance with your dead kingdom. You want a chance to build it up from scratch, but do not have the means to do so." The matriarch then stated, "Offer yourself to me and I shall teach you what you need to know on how to be a proper ruler. One year. And I'll release all of your people under lock and key in my country."
"One Year?" Zannah held her expression with neutrality.
"I can extend it if you don't think you can learn that fast." Fayruz turned around, the silk still dragging behind her. "Or dismiss it if you're not willing. It's up to you and your pretty guard there."
"He has an expressionless helmet." It seemed Zannah was not well versed on humour. "One year is nothing to the life I've endured. Very well. I accept your terms. I will follow your terms. On the one condition that any slaves of Hasai decent in your kingdom are transferred to your care. I do not wish to have others bring lasting harm to them."
"Very well, I could use a few more beautiful faces around here." Fayruz then gestured to her eldest servant, Uzi. "This here is Uzi. He is my most trustworthy servant. He will show you to your quarters." Then she gave a fair warning, "Also, I'd advise against trying anything suspicious. Naunet will know. I will know. Do behave nicely, child."
Zannah resisted the urge to back to her. “Din. Return to refugee camps. Tell the surviving council members that their Empress is conducting a year long term and trading agreement. I will be disposed until such a time as I am done here.”
“Yes, my Empress.” With her only ally gone, Zannah gave Uzi a nod. “Show me to my quarters please.”
"This way, please." Uzi hobbled along, a slightly limp in his leg. He was an old Nara, but had served the royal family ever since his birth. Opening a room of grandeur, he smiled, "I hope it is to your liking. The bath is to the left. When you're hungry, a servant will escort you to the dining hall. If you like, I could assign you a Hasai servant or a Nara. Which would you prefer?"
“A Nara. I will not have a Hasai slave serve me, unless it is for information.”
"As you wish." Uzi made a note and then informed her. "There are new clothes in the wardrobe. A servant will come help you dress before dinner. Also," He then said with a slight grimace to his face. "Naunet is known to wander the palace sometimes in search of a decent spot of sunshine. Please do not approach her unless necessary for she is prone to... uh..." He held up the back of his robes, which was ripped. "Playing."
“I see.” Zannah looked saddened by a memory on her mind. Walking to the wardrobe, she opened it up.
It was not too much later that two beautiful female Naras knocked on Zannah's door. One was petite while the other was more butch, yet both were stunning with dark kohl around their eyes and elaborate jewelry on their horns. Nearly transparent clothes adorned their bodies. "Princess, we are here to help you dress."
"Empress. Address me as Empress. I haven't been a princess for years." Zannah started to strip out of her dirty rags. She loathed the sweat she had accumulated walking through the desert, so it was nice to take off her layers.
"Empress, let us help you bath and then we'll dress you for dinner."
"We have a fine selection of perfumes and body oils."
"Do you prefer fruity scents or flowery?"
Zannah couldn't remember the last time she had maids service her. This felt different. Those that worked at the palace did so out of their free will. It was a career they were proud of. The Empress wasn't sure if these people took pride in anything. "Fruit is fine."
Walking with them to the bath, her mind went back to Hyrule. How at the tip of a blade she was forced into an ultimatum? Die with honour, or be banished and scattered.
Once Zannah was clean and dressed in the finest silks available, one servant stayed behind to clean up the bathroom while the other escorted her to the Matriarch. Fayruz was sitting at the table with her husband, Bennu, feeding him a few grapes with Naunet's large head in her lap. The crocodile was making a rumbling noise of sorts, content as could be. "Do you feel better now, child?" Fayruz asked Zannah as she approached the table. "Do sit. We have a variety of foods for you."
"I would feel better if you stop calling me child. I asked my Nara your age Matriarch. You're only a year older than myself. You are no more a child than I. We are both women. There is respect in that."
"Ages matters not." Fayruz motioned for one servant to pour some wine for their guest. "Respect is earned, not given. You've much to learn."
Zannah took the wine, carefully smelling it for its age and rawness. Swallowing, she sighed. It had been too long since she had the luxury of red wine. "I earned respect to me with the battles I waged and the experience I gained from that. Anyone else would have let the Empire die, but I alone in my bloodline have kept it alive."
"Ah, so you think your victories on the battlefield have earned you respect?" Fayruz asked her with a knowing smile. "I have never once had to raise a weapon in defense of myself or my home. My methods are different than yours, but nonetheless effective. However, getting your people united under one ruler, that is your next task, my dear."
"That is what I've been doing. Repairing my broken Empire. I can't lead a kingdom without subjects to have a flow of infrastructure." Zannah grabbed an apple, giving it a smell before crunching it down.
"True, you do need subjects." Fayruz's eyes flickered up to Zannah. "But what assurance do you have that they will follow you?"
"I hold the blood of God in my veins. To defy my word is to defy the word of Exodrum themselves. To deny what I am trying to accomplish is to deny strength in the face of adversity. Any Hasai who simply wishes to give up on the Empire should end their lives." Zannah winced at the wine in particular hit her a little hard on the last gulp down. "There some who believe we should have all died. That I should never have officially surrendered. But that was to fight on another day. No warrior only fights one battle, and we all have to accept at least one defeat in our lifetimes."
"And there is your first mistake, dear," Fayruz shook her head lightly, the adornments on her horns and ears jingling slightly. "Never assume that your people will give you automatic leadership. There is no kingdom that has lived through history without a coop or someone trying to take the thrones for themselves. Do you now the best way to keep order?"
"Force?"
"Fear and love, my dear." Fayruz corrected Zannah. "They have to be afraid of you and love you at the same time. My people know better than to disobey me, but love that I offer them protection and stability. You must to the same to ensure the Hasai stay under your rule and do not bow to another."
"Love is an illusion made by fools."
"Oh? Are you sure about that, dear?" Fayruz asked her. "All rulers are required to give an heir. Will you say the same when you have children? A lover?"
"There is no love in reproduction. It is simply a necessary act to continue bloodlines. Love is a fable that people seek to feel more secure that they won't die alone. A family’s love is unreal. And friends can respect you and like you, but there is no love there."
"Very well, keep that ideology if you like, but one day, I'll have the opportunity to say 'I told you so'." Fayruz chuckled as she tapped Naunet's snout twice and the huge reptile opened her jaws. Plopping inside a piece of meat, the matriarch then tapped once and the crocodile swallowed her treat. "The first lesson you will need to learn is fear and... let's say for your sake, adoration, go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other. You must not be afraid to make examples of those who try to betray you." Snapping her fingers, the guards brought forth a captured assassin, a Nara, just like Fayruz herself. "This here is an assassin who tried to target me a few days before your arrival. He's displeased that his brother was sent to work in the mines to pay off a debt."
"Why have you not strung him up by his entrails, and have his corpse paraded around your city? An assassin wanting to destabilize your government cannot be forgiven. They are a cowardly lot who don't engage in open combat."
"Simple, dear... I had to find his brother first."
Another guard brought in the sibling in handcuffs, startled and surprised to his brother here as well. "What did you do?!"
"What needed to be done!"
"Now we're both going to be killed."
"Do be silent, you're interrupting my conversation." Fayruz kissed Naunet's snout and stood from her chair, the giant crocodile following her. "Now, you see, this is where the 'non-existent' love of yours comes into play. He tried to kill me out of love for his brother, to save him from the mines." She cooed to Naunet. "My darling, tell your mama, which one would you like to eat?"
"No!" The assassin inched forth on his knees, bowing his head. "Let her eat me! I'm the one who tried to kill you! My brother had nothing to do with this!"
Zannah’s face frowned heavily. It was already being spread outside the borders of Ganondorf brutally killing her twin brother as the stuff of legends. Legend. That term mortified Zannah. She felt there was no doubt this was some kind of psychological test from Fayruz. "You must kill the assassin. A fair ruler would punish the offender and the offender alone."
"There's more than one way to make the offender suffer, even you must know that." Fayruz then approached the brother of the assassin. "You were taken to the mines to pay off a debt than you tried to run from. Now, your brother tried something very foolish because of your actions."
"It's my fault! I gambled, and I couldn't pay back the loss." The brother insisted, "Please, don't hurt my brother! He was only trying to help me."
"But he did try to kill me and I cannot let that go unpunished."
"Then punish me instead!"
"Shut up, I'm the one who tried to kill her, let the reptile eat me!"
"You're in this mess because of me!"
"You're my brother, I'd do anything for you!"
"See?" Fayruz turned to look at Zannah. "It's easy to use love and turn it into fear." She then ordered. "Death would be too easy. Naunet."
"Hrrrrnnnngggh?" The crocodile looked up at her mistress.
"Take the assassin's hands."
Zannah mussed as the crocodile came forward. As the man screamed over the wet crunches of bones, she didn't look away. "Why not kill him? He has no value to you now. Without his hands he is nothing."
"That's exactly my point, dear," Fayruz had the most twisted smile on her face. "Now, he's nothing."
Zannah paused, not having considered that. Her eyes then opened with an epiphany. In her silent complexation, she couldn't hide a fury.
"Take them away and clean up this mess." Fayruz ordered her servants and resumed her seat. Taking a napkin, she dabbed at the blood around Naunet's mouth when the crocodile approached her for praise. "My second lesson to you, Zannah... sometimes, there is fates worse than death." She then added, "And for third, you must not let emotions show through. If I can see what you're thinking, then others will too. They will use this against you. A good ruler allows emotion to take a backseat."
"Did Rinku of Hyrule intend this for me? A fate worse than death? Ganondorf was going to initially kill me. I could have died with dignity until she spoke up."
"That is a question that only Rinku has the answer to, dear." Fayruz finished cleaning Naunet's snout. "Good girl, you're a very good girl!"
"NRRRRRHHHH!"
"Now, sit and eat. You need to put some skin on those bones."
Zannah looked at a silver plate that shone her reflection clearly. Did she really show that much of her emotions? Taking a bite of chicken, she bit into it like a dragon.
"Eat as much as you like," Fayruz then elaborated. "Tomorrow, we will talk politics. How to get what you want, or if you cannot reach the ultimate desire, how to compromise. And most importantly," She took a sip of her wine. "When to know you are defeated."
"I know when I am defeated Matriarch. I know that all too well."
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