WRATH

PRINCE OF WRATH

[wickedlyxenvy]

Right, Hell would freeze over if you showed your love through looks instead of action, goddess forbid. I am feeling exceptionally better. I have a new house, I have my Queen, and these kids. I'm aware they technically aren't children anymore, but they are my children.

[wraths-fury]

More like the only person that needs to see and be showered in my love is my Queen. If you are caring for kids that not even their own parents are, then you're as much their father as their blood parents are, if not more. Whole life bond between you, Gianna, and Celeste aside, I would have hated to kill you had the witches not gotten the other you out.

[soullessxpandora]

We take where we see the immense improvement. Ah, yes, Rhys, I have been attempting to find the root of his anger and work toward mending such. He is lashing out at the wrong person, Wrath, but I understand if you wish to open express your displeasure over his words. This stress is not healthy during Celeste's pregnancy, so perhaps intervention would be what is best for the babies.

[wraths-fury]

Perhaps he needs an outlet for his anger instead of trying to mend his feelings with words– at least if I have to intervene, then he will have an excuse to try and hurt me like I know he wants to. Celeste thinks it's her fault when she is the entirely innocent party in all of this; no one gets to make her feel like that. Not even her family. So the sooner we get this squabble squashed, the better.

[wickedlyxenvy]

Oh, please, you would be just as proud and beaming like the fires of Hell if our roles were reversed.

[wraths-fury]

Obviously, and then your eyes would surely rupture because no one is prepared for that from me. You seem to be doing better, brother.

[radiantlyxceleste]

I know it was not my responsibility, but my family tore apart while I was gone and left him. Of course I do not, My Moon. Rhys and I aren't the same people anymore. It isn't my destiny to lead a coven, it's my destiny to rule at your side. Don't ever doubt I'd change my mind, Wrath.

[wraths-fury]

That also isn't your responsibility; your family knows where they went wrong with him. You are, and forever will be, innocent in all of this. I know, My Light, I don't doubt you. Words of affirmation are as much for the listener as they are for the ones who say them.

[soullessxpandora]

As much as large gatherings are not your thing, they will become more frequent in your role, I'm afraid. Celeste has been the most sociable between her and Rhys, so it is wonderful seeing my daughter in her element while you both take a break from matters within Hell.

[wraths-fury]

It's the downside I didn't want, but I'm at least trying to be more social without threatening too many people's lives. I will gladly take breaks from Hell if it means she's doing what she wants, but Celeste is taking it to heart that she and her brother are still not on good terms. If Rhys disrespects her in my presence, I will not be civil about it.

[radiantlyxceleste]

I would hope others previously learned to stay at a distance when you get that look.

I spent our childhood doing just that for the better and for worse. Rhy thinks I chose you over my own family and the coven. To him, I may as well still be dead.

[wraths-fury]

Some people still have the audacity.

Then you were gone for centuries, where he should have learned to govern his own emotions, Celeste. Do you regret choosing my crown instead of leading the coven with your brother?

[soullessxpandora]

Well, if you are content sitting alone in a quiet room while the celebrations commence, I cannot stop a King.

[wraths-fury]

Large gatherings were never my thing, even before gaining the King title, but I figured it would be better to let Celeste mingle amongst family without me on her tail.

[radiantlyxceleste]

I know, but one abandoning the noise of a party oftentimes prefers loneliness. It has already grown rather draining faster than I thought it would. And it's not just the babies.

Rhys hates me now.

[wraths-fury]

If it were anyone other than you approaching me, then I would have been inclined to turn them away.

His feelings are not on you to fix.

[wickedlyxenvy]

Why expect anything more from my antisocial brother?

[wraths-fury]

You can thank Celeste for it. Not that I don't want to be here, but you're making my teeth hurt just by looking at you.

[radiantlyxceleste]

Do you mind if I took a break with you? I'm carrying extra weight.

[wraths-fury]

You know you never have to ask if I mind you being anywhere near me, Celeste. I would actually prefer it if you took a break.

[wraths-fury]

I'm fine here. I already gave my congrats to the First Mother.

[wickedlyxenvy]

Annoying is putting it into a vast understatement, don't you think? I gave him the perfect in, Wrath, we both know it.

[wraths-fury]

It's an adequate assessment. It could have been any of us, Envy. You weren't the only one at risk– it just hit you first. Doesn't matter if you gave him an in or not.

[wickedlyxenvy]

Well, I never want to do that ever again. Okay? Okay.

[wraths-fury]

Nor do I want you to do that again, either. The other Envy was annoying.

[blazinglyxseraphina]

Of course you would know of anger and hatred, that is who you are at your core. Be as any of that may, son of mine, I cannot nor will I ever ignore the characteristics in which you are more like your father than not. By your logic, you would kill your brothers if it prevented me or your sister from stealing the throne from under you.

I would've thought every word spewing from your lips are scathing lies utilized to manipulate me had the thought never occurred that playing those childish games your father knew so well is not built in your genetic code. That doesn't mean it isn't challenging for me to believe you would stoop that low if it suited your interests. You speak of you and your brothers needing me? Excuse my doubt, but I could feel the dissonance working through my children like a dark cloud the further his claws dug into each and every one of you. I was the one who needed you, Wrath, for you were the only person Angelus ever feared. If you had even cared for me the way Gluttony and Lust did, the way Hope had during our imprisonment, you should have broken your chains and we could've taken down your father together. I understood why the twins couldn't, why your other brothers wouldn't dare, but I held on wishing for a miracle and you never came. He seduced me into a marriage of torment, stole my children from me, and threw us all away. This anger kept the fire burning in my eyes, it was the only thing preventing an end to my life. It's ugly and unforgivable...and he was a monster stealing everything until I had nothing left of value to him. I hated myself just as much as I hated the King and now I am no better than his choices. I am the monster.

[wraths-fury]

Maybe his mother's words were meant to be cutting, scathing, but Wrath knew who he was all along. He was the monster that even the King, who held his reins so tightly it choked him, feared. A rabid beast that was molded to bite any and all hands near him that meant him harm. His own brothers feared him until they realized he actually had a heart underneath the rage and torment. It was so buried and brutalized that he didn't even recognize it. Wrath only found it once Celeste decided that he was enough for her– saw him as someone other than the mighty sword of Hell, and then he lost her. Wrath listened patiently as his mother spoke, subject to possibly the most conversation he had ever had with someone outside of the time Envy found out about Celeste. Talking wasn't his strong suit, and patience was even less than that, but if there was one thing he owed... it was that and more to his mother. "If there was one thing that he was good at, it was sewing enough discord within the brothers that we never looked where we should have. I never looked where I should have. I know now that I let you down just as I did everyone else for letting him reign so long," the newly crowned King sighed, his hand moving to grasp his nape lightly. Wrath didn't need to bother explaining that even if he did have some recollection, if he banded together with the twins and managed to find where his mother and sister were held, they probably wouldn't have gotten very far. It's why it took so long for them to overthrow their father in the first place– it was a cosmic alignment that even he couldn't deny. Witches, various demons, and the Princes all had to work together– something he didn't have centuries ago. His dark gaze lifted to Seraphina once again, shaking his head. "You didn't start out as a monster; you were made, but that doesn't mean that's all you are. I don't want to push you out of our lives. You deserve to come home, you and Hope, back to where you belong, but that won't work if we're at each other's throats." Wrath paused for a beat, his gaze never leaving her as he studied her. He knew malicious, he knew venom. His mother was just... hurt. Lashing out after centuries of the worst Hell, he saw himself in her after Celeste had died. His brothers thought he was upset over losing his kingdom when he was suffering from something way worse. He cleared his throat before speaking again softly, "I don't want to be him; I don't want to be a tyrant. Despite my namesake and how you may think it will be easy for me to slip into his likeness, I'm trying not to be. I won't vilify you for feeling the way you do, but if you do decide to come home, I'll give you everything you've lost. I'll make sure you're never forgotten again. It's the least I can do."

[radiantlyxceleste]

You have yourself a fair deal.

Yes, my love, we're going to have children. Twins, actually...boys. Adult versions of them are here, but this is the chance to give ours the life they should have had.

[wraths-fury]

Twin boys. You would no doubt be a great mother, My Light, but I don't know if I can be a good father. I never did have a great role model.

[alexia-simmons]

I had to shoot my shot before you were swamped, right? Anything you can do to remedy that for me, I would be most appreciated and I'll lowkey kiss the ground you walk on.

[wraths-fury]

Fair. I'm already ignoring a bunch of duties back in Hell to be walking the mortal realm right now. How about we nix the 'kissing the ground' and we'll be even.

[wraths-fury]

You haven't tried to assassinate anyone since before Gianna came around.

Looks like we're both different. So, who are you, then, if you aren't the Envy I know? I'm clearly not the Wrath you know.

[wickedlyxenvy]

I have been assassinating long after Gianna came around. With your help, actually.

I'm the better Envy from a different timeline, one where you and I both held the power. Emotional instability really left the door wide open for me to slip right in. No, you are not the Wrath I know, but that pretty little crown on your head will call to him.

[wraths-fury]

I'm not surprised by that fact.

There must have been a lot of blood spilled in that timeline if you and I both held power. We'll see. If my brother had to be emotionally unstable for you to slip through, it might have to be the same for me, and just because I wear the crown doesn't mean it will be easy. Even if it's another version of me, I don't take kindly to losing my faculties.