The dock of the Katshin Empire, faintly illuminated by what light of the crimson moon could shine through, was abruptly awoken by the sounds of a ship pulling into the harbor. The small ship, packed with Vulpurs, unraveled its ramp and let them descend. Felonious, Francis, Fatima, Demi, and other Vulpurs all stepped onto the wooden dock, their paw-like feet digging into the slightly rotten wood beneath them.
Francis took a step forward and paused, his nose twitching as he went to sniff the air around him. The sound of the ocean behind them, crashing and storming beneath the docks, also filled their ears. The blue Vulpur sniffed like an animal before scoffing, tucking a hand into the pocket of his blue-colored robe.
"It's salty here; I don't like that."
The unnamed Vulpur with black and white fur snorted, stepping onto the dock beside Francis. "You've left the island, have you? The smells are enough to send one into shock."
The much smaller Vulpur reached into his small bag, taking out two small plugs made of most collected from the forest floor, plugging them into his nose. Fatima smiled softly as she stepped beside her brother, looking up at the large, iron-black palace situated in the epicenter of the kingdom. When they were on the boat, it was the first thing that caught anyone's attention through the countless layers of fog and mist.
Splash!
A sudden sound caught everyone's attention. They all turned back to the dock, where they saw Demi—soaking wet—climb onto the harbor with a large fish in hand. She held it up to show the group, her fangs glistening in the crimson moonlight.
"There's a small family of fish living under the dock. If you guys can use your wacky science, maybe you can clone this bad boy enough to feed an entire kingdom!"
She suddenly tossed the fish to Fatima, who caught it with her mouth. She then turned to her brother, a cocky grin forming on her face. "What do you say, are you up for the challenge?"
"Last one to the workbench has to drink the chemicals!—" Before any of them could run, the black and white Vulpur grabbed Fatima by the tail, tugging her back alongside her brother.
He looked back at Felonious, nodding his head. Felonous, clad in his white robe, stepped forward in front of the four candidates. He clasped his paws together, speaking with a solemn tone.
"We'll approach the emperor with solemnity and refinement." Felonuous suddenly focused on Francis and Fatima, his brows furrowing. "Got it?"
"Don't worry at all; we'll make the best impression possible!" Francis and Fatima moved in unison, making mock salutes.
At this moment, an ink-black raven landed on the dock, its body becoming engulfed with a dark-colored mist. Within the mist, a pair of eyes, a nose, a mouth, and other bodily features sprang upwards. Kael's figure, clad in red and black formal attire, smiled softly as he bowed to the quadruple of Vulpurs.
"Good evening..." He paused, an eye shooting to his silver pocket watch. "Or...morning."
"The voyage was smoother than expected; the waves didn't attempt to rip us apart," Felonious commented, a collected smile forming on his face.
Kael chuckled deeply, taking a step back as he folded his hands behind his back like a gentleman. His crimson eyes darted to the towering palace, looking up to the tallest pillar with a hint of relaxation in his expression.
"The emperor is eager for your introductions."
Kael suddenly turned his head, looking towards three more Vulpurs on the boat. They all gazed at him with unreadable expressions. The man with elven ears arched an eyebrow, pointing to them with his pipe. "May I ask who they are?"
"Accomplices," The black and white Vulpur responded.
"For whom?"
"The emperor."
"Ahh." Kael nodded his head, his smile twitching around the edges. This was something he hadn't initially foreseen.
He couldn't help but feel a little mixed up about the situation. Kael cleared his throat, looking up at the slightly taller Vulpur. "I wasn't informed about this."
"Well, it appears the emperor's little goody-boy doesn't get told everything." The Vulpur extended his paws, flicking Kael in the center of his forehead.
This sent him back a half-step, and he couldn't help but laugh. With a quick move, Kael readjusted himself and began to walk forward, his hands still folded behind his back. After a short moment he paused, looking back at the seven Vulpurs behind him.
"Come on."
They made their way through the mostly deserted streets, weaving past the vacant markets and empty stalls. Eventually, Kael approached the large iron doors leading to the main hallway. He turned back to the Vulpurs behind him, smirking as he pushed open the castles large doors. They echoed and creaked in the dead of night, the sound bouncing off the walls and tricking down the windows.
"This place is massive; I can't help but feel a little... nervous," Fatima whispered, looking up to the ceiling of the main hall, slightly oriel in shape. The ceiling was covered in oil paintings depicting countless historical accounts of the legend and culture of the Katshin Empire.
Francis also gazed at the paintings, pausing in his tracks to look at a mural of the emperor, a bulky man with crimson eyes and spiky blonde hair, slaying a malevolent-looking dragon. Instead of immediately reprimanding them, Kael paused beside them, glancing up to.
"It seems you're enraptured by one of the best tales of Katshinese history—the time Emperor Katsuki defended his kingdom from a dragon attack during the Khorvithian War."
"Khorvithian War?" Fatima glanced at Kael, a faint trace of curiosity forming on her face.
"Does your empire not teach you enough about history?" Kael leaned a little closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
Both Vulpurs shook their heads. Seeing this reply, Kael sighed softly and took a step back, his voice and tone becoming more explanatory as he recounted the battle in detail.
"My majesty is over five centuries old—courtesy of becoming a Titan. The Khorvithian War was a few hundred years ago, a raging conflict between several of our current empires. One of them, a name lost to history, sent a malevolent dragon to burn his kingdom to ashes. Luckily, Emperor Katsuki stood up and defended his empire and people, slaying the dragon in cold blood."
He leaned in even closer, whispering into Fatima and Francis's ears. "I've been told he kept its skeleton, and it's resting beneath the castle in a coffin made of pure gold."
"Gold?" Fatima perked up, looking at her brother with a hint of excitement.
"You have a big golden coffin under the castle?"
Kael nodded. "I've never seen it in person, but the emperor warned against anyone visiting it. Apparently the dragon's corpse still emanates corrupted energy, energy that'll snatch life from you in the flick of a wrist."
To accentuate this point, Kael abruptly flicked his wrist, his palm and fingertips dancing with crimson flames. The flames took the shape of a skeleton dragon, which let out an illusory roar before dissipating alongside any images it carried. Both twins watched, enraptured at this spectacle.
"Wow, he sounds amazing!" Fatima's mouth fell agape slightly.
Kael gave the latter a knowing smile. "He'd appreciate the compliments; it's all he ever seeks."
The group came to another pair of large stone doors, doors that stretched to the ceiling. Kael took a slow breath as he grabbed the wooden handles, pushing with a little effort as he parted the doors, revealing the throne room in its entirety. There were two thrones perched atop a small staircase, laced with both orange and green gemstones, crystals, and stone. The stone was decorated and carved with intricate patterns and sigils.
On the backs of the chairs were symbols corresponding to the Barbarian pathway, the pathway of a king, a ruler looking for conflict, war, and a good brawl. Emperor Katsuki, still clad in his black and orange armor, leaned forward on his throne, arching an eyebrow as he watched Kael and the other Vulpurs enter. He rested his head on his fist, crossing a leg over the other.
"You were quick to act, Kael." Emperor Katsuki complimented the efforts of the elven man.
Kael said nothing at first, bowing solemnly to his superior. He then glanced to the other throne, noticing its vacancy. Kael cleared his throat, a twitching yet polite smile forming on his face.
"I suppose Emperor Izuku went to his quarters?"
Emperor Katsuki nodded, looking out the window to his left. He saw a tower—one of the taller of the castle—and two figures perched on its balcony. It was quite handy that the Barbarian pathway gave its user access to abilities like seeing great distances. It was an ability usually for combat and analysis of enemy forces, but the emperor found more conventional means for it.
He saw Emperor Izuku, clad in nightclothes, peering through his large-lens telescope, peering into the stars alongside his daughter, Hazel. The duo seemed to be enjoying themselves, as they laughed quietly and talked amongst each other, fueling their bond and curiosity for what lay beyond the world they lived in.
"Your majesty?" Kael's voice cut through the tranquility of the scene, snagging Emperor Katsuki's attention. He rolled his eyes, grumbling for a few moments before answering.
"Yes, Kael?"
Kael took a step aside, gesturing to the other Vulpurs standing behind him "Allow me to personally introduce the individuals I believe shall be great political, agricultural, and alchemical assets for our goal of economic and social prosperity."
The emperor analyzed the countless Vulpurs, huffing as he leaned back in his throne. "I'd recommend making this quick, I have much-needed rest."