Chapter 14

Samira
“Good morning, Samira, Tyson; you don’t have to be so formal.” The Realm King said casually.
There was another soundless whoosh of air, and an ice cold hand was placed on my shoulder. It made me shiver.
“Clemintine made more food?” Asked the God of Death, Lord Asanguis. It was said that the Blue Serpent melted entire cities with his acid…
His true form is dragon headed and winged legless serpent. Originally, he served as the Realm King’s steed. It’s said the only thing larger than him, is the Great White Serpent that lives within the Pit.
“AH!” I squealed. He was *right* behind me, and took a plate of a variety of foods before they both sat across from us with Xaxas….
“Congratulations.” Lord Asanguis chuckled.
“Leave my daughter alone.” Growled Tyson’s father… the Beast, King of the Forest… Lord Bryson is a scary campfire story told to bad foals who venture into the woods at night…. At least he didn’t pop up behind me… He was on the other side of the table, and sat across from us.
I’d NEVER seen any of them…. I’d never met anyone this ancient…. Also no one has documented *seeing* an Old One so casually since ancient Rome…Yet I knew who they were…. There’re statues of them all except Lord Bryson in nearly every religious center that depicts hell in some way….
Lord Bryson is the youngest, I think only 3 or 400…Possibly 500? He wasn’t around during the wars of old. It’s also said of all the Princes, he’s the most likely to give mercy, and the least likely to destroy for destruction’s sake… In addition, he’s the only Prince of Hell that had children.
However, I could see why people called him the King of the Forest, and make him out to be a scary story…. It was also said that Lord Bryson skinned his enemies alive, and his office held a carpet of pelts.
Tyson looked like the younger version of these men… They looked in their mid 30’s, Tyson looked about 21? He didn’t look baby-faced but he didn’t hold a single wrinkle either.
The Three Princes of Hell all held crowns between grand ram’s horns. The only different brother was Lord Asanguis. The Lord of the Dead has long blue hair…. With the snap of Lord Xaxas’s fingers, the table was tripled in diameter, and more chairs were added, enough for their mates too…
I bowed my head, and the Realm King placed his hand on top of it…. I could feel him examine me now
“Wait…. Why do you feel… remade?” He asked. The strength of such a passive action was unreal. It felt like a mountain was put on me, and just as soon as he released his hand, the crushing weight of the Realm King was gone…. “I thought father paid an absolute shit ton of processed souls for you?”
“I…. I was born the Glittering One my lord, yet, all I can do is sparkle. I didn’t inherit the ability to see lies, secrets, and bring to light misdeeds…. I am the pony of the family.” I admitted truthfully hearing the lot of them growl.
“You are many things small one, but you are no fucking ‘pony’.” The Realm King spat. In my culture, it was like being called a ‘runt’, or the ‘b’ word…. an insult… Something muttered under the breath of pitying, yet condescending nobles…
I heard them… even Lord Redmane…. He wanted me for the status… It would put him back in competition with Frostmane….
I knew the kings heard me.
“I will not belittle myself again.” I said quietly. The Realm King hummed.
“Do not bow your head to your uncles, little unicorn.” King Xaxas said shaking his head.
They were so…. Casual… The Night Court is *nothing* like the Light Court…. They’re friendlier… less formal. This is likely though because I’m family… I assume my head would be lopped off if I were a commoner who didn’t kneel.
“I see why father commissioned you.” King Xaxas scratched his chin. “Regardless, welcome to the family. I assume he’s already spoken with you…. You know about the situation?” He said cutting into his eggs, and added it to a biscuit with bacon.
“The prince killed his fellow wolves.” I said quietly… That… that was universally bad. It doesn’t matter what race; all are punished for comrade killing….
“We’re staying out of it. Personally, I don’t think this is worth entertaining, but mortals’ lives were lost I guess.” Said Xaxas casually.
“I don’t get it either.” Said Lord Asanguis. “I’ve killed more people sneezing on accident.”
“He took a sacred blood oath to care and protect them.” Said Tyson. “We’re already looked at as monsters… He dishonors all King Ashital worked for in a single night. I hear them… they fear us.”
“Mortal fear ads fiber to your diet.” Said King Xaxas. “But I care *more* that he broke a blood oath, something *you* have to deal with.” He glared at Tyson’s father Bryson the Beast, and he crossed his arms. Bryson also snorted steam out his nose, something I’d seen only elder unicorns do.
It was obvious that there was a lot of contention between the three, with the two older brothers wanting to let Tyson handle it, while it was clear that Lord Bryson wanted to pardon his second son.
“As much as I still disagree, I’ll go along with this.” Growled his father. The Lord of Justice was picking favorites… but at least Lord Bryson didn’t act on it….
“Good.” Said Tyson to my surprise….. I didn’t see the error in it. “If he aided me, it will be as if I am not a king, rather a child sitting on the throne while daddy fixes everything.” He grumbled, daring to glare at the God of Justice.
“There is no need to further convince me. For now, I’m satisfied with his new status and the option he has to turn himself in…,” Said Lord Bryson.
“I believe you should wait about 3 days before you visit OpalMoon.” Said the Lord of the Dead. “Everything is so fresh, but I made sure all the souls reside on the top layer. You won’t know this little one, but the top layer, where father resides holds a vast city for the repentant. Those who are innocent and die by our hands, or those who go through Hell’s punishment and change their ways may stay in a modern city Below.”
“Yeah,” Said the Realm King. “It’s actually nice, no bullshit. It looks like ancient Rome, but with electricity and people ride horses, or some other variant.”
“I assume the Moon Goddess’s release did that.” I mumbled.
“No, it was actually me.” Said Tyson’s father, Bryson. “I gave him what he needed to change the Rings of Hell to Layers, and he’s been tinkering with it ever since.”
“Oh… and don’t let him get ahold of your horn. I can tell he reforged it to a proper one.” Warned Lord Asanguis. “…. Father… He gets carried away with his many mortal hobbies…. If you’re not careful, that shiny pelt might become a coat trimming, and that horn a Lulliba figurine….”
“He’s STILL in his figurine phase?!” Asked the Realm King, standing up. “I thought he got bored of carving sinners?!”
“He got my fangs last time I went down…. Be careful.” Said the Lord of the dead, showing his missing fang that was still growing back. “I got a cool necklace out of it though.” He showed it by summoning it, and it was intricate. It was a 2 inch moon goddess pendant, with his fang as a cabochon, and it was surrounded in gold to make the necklace and the setting.
“Figures.” Said the Realm King. “Anyway, I’m off. I have affairs to attend.” He said vanishing. “Thanks for the breakfast.” That part was heard on the wind..
“I do too.” Said the Lord of the Dead. “You should give her to our wives. I’m sure she’ll like the company.” He vanished as well.
“When you meet my mate, she’ll swoon.” Chuckled Lord Bryson, though he stayed. “Unicorns are her favorite people…. It’s so bad that when she was little, she didn’t know they were a race of shifter…. Gods she cried when that damn horse died.” Him and Tyson shared a small laugh.
“She had a horse and everything. He died last year, despite not having any magical enchantments…And she got him as a small child…. Nobody blessed Stardash either; we triple checked. She loves all things equestrian. You’re probably already her favorite daughter before she even meets you.” Tyson held a laugh.
“She didn’t go to sleep last night until I literally made her.” Complained Lord Bryson.
“Oh…” I said looking down. I didn’t know I was famous.
“She actually got a chance to bless and hold you and your twin a little after you were born.” Added Lord Bryson. “But, as much as I want to see it, I should go too. I have business to attend as well.” He said standing up. He didn’t instantly leave, and his son shared a few more words with his father.
“Please watch over Kaizen…. He’s a fugitive, but I don’t want him hurt for pain’s sake.” Said Tyson.
“I always do.” He vanished.