After all

by Spooduce

Summary:

Lurien was sure he didn't want anything in return for his sacrifice. He would happily serve his King.
He was his light after all
-------
This is the events leading up to hollow knight, told by me. Luriens time as a dreamer before he fell asleep.
It is inspired by Icelandan's animatic of Honey I'm Home

Chapter 1: Diffident promise

Lurien entered the conference room, the familiar cool air hitting his shell as he pushed open the tall doors. Walking up to the boardroom table, he took his usual seat.

Unusually, he was told to bring nothing with him today, including his loyal butler who very commonly accompanied Lurien on his excursions to the White Palace. 

What was even more unusual was that the King's servants, who would disdainfully interrupt their meetings to very clearly eavesdrop, weren't stationed on their usual posts by the throne. In all actuality, no-one but Lurien seemed to be present. 

On matters not concerning the King, Lurien was usually early and to be on time was for him to consider himself late. The King often took care in placing servants in the boardrooms before meeting for security purposes. 

He folded his hands on the table and cleared his throat, the sound uncomfortably echoing around the room.

He found himself with nothing to do and no-one to talk to while he waited for the other potential informants to arrive. He was so curious to what this sudden meeting was about that he was sure he would soon find himself mad if he kept thinking about it.

So he distracted himself with the brilliance that was the White Palace.

His eyes wandered around the pale walls of the room, taking in just how pure everything was. Even for such a simple space, the architecture made it look exquisite.  High ceilings with brilliantly detailed stone, candles with pale flames lining the walls, and glossy ivy framing the two large windows either side of the table.

Everything about this place was perfect.

The door opened briskly, drawing Luriens attention to the newcomer. Monomon poked her head in and smiled when she saw Lurien. 

"Have you been called to this mysterious meeting as well?" She asked, waving her tentacles through the air at Lurien as a hello. Lurien gave a friendly wave back "Yes I have, do you have any idea to why we have been summoned here?" She shook her head and gently pulled out her chair. Sitting down she added "I haven't been told too much, the letter I had received was very vague."

Lurien was good friends with Monomon, they had usual catch-ups over tea and talked about recent news in their lives. She had also helped him file documents on those rare nights he was immensely overworked and extremely fatigued, so much so to even function.

He did often forget to rest, leading to some very stressful days and vexatious nights, but in the end it was for the King…

so I do not mind.

Lurien and Monomon chatted away, trying to pass the time.

"So, has anything interesting happened as of late? Maybe something you saw while watching over the city?" Monomon inquired, she gently folded two of her tentacles beneath her chin and rested her head atop them. Lurien gave a slight nod, "More and more citizens seem to be getting infected," he adjusted himself in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. "I do hope the King has a plan on how to stop this pandemic, it's taking a substantial amount of our population.". Monomon nodded her head. "Not as many of my students have been coming to their classes, I can't really blame them though. We don't even know how it's spreading.”.

Monomon paused abruptly before slowing beginning to speak again. "I have actually been experimenting with it," she admitted. "I've been trying to find a way to contain it, so far I've been able to hold small amounts in jelly-like substances."  Monomon hummed, thinking over her next words. "they have almost been gaining...consciousness in a way". Lurien was quite taken aback by that.

For something that has brought death to so many innocent bugs, how was it suddenly able to create life?

The door slammed open, startling both Lurien and Monomon. Lurien snapped his head around, but as soon as he saw who it was his mood immediately soured.

Herrah scuttled in the room, grumbling to herself, and unceremoniously took a seat. Monomon and Lurien both glanced at Herrah, Why was she here?

The fabled "Queen of Deepnest" wasn't someone people would normally request the presence of. Not only was she rude and famed for her short temper, but everyone knew that you better not bother her needlessly unless it's a life or death situation. Even the Pale King was aware of how she hated being disturbed.

So if she's here...

What's going on?

"What? Is something wrong with your face, or were you just born that way?" Herrah waved one of her claws in front of Luriens mask, wrapped up in his thoughts he didn't realize he was staring. "My apologies Herrah." He brashly sneered, not wanting to spend more of his breath on her.  Herrah gave a light chuckle. "So do either of you know what's going on? Or are you just as clueless as you look?"  "No, we don't know why we have been asked to come here," Monomon politely stated "But I do ask that you tone down the 'irritating' remarks. I know it's been a very stressful while for us all, but we shouldn't take it out on other people."  Herrah smirked to herself.

Lurien would never be sure why she was like this.

"Greetings everyone."

A powerful voice filled the room, and Lurien immediately found himself lost to the tone. 

So silky soft...so perfect.

The Pale King glided over to his seat. It was a noticeably larger chair stationed at the head of the table that had pale ivy wrapped around the edges, and a crest that mimicked his crown imprinted on the top.  It was clearly his, no one but him has sat in it before and no one else ever will.

Lurien stopped and sighed.

I should definitely go outside more.

The King gracefully sat down and laid his hands neatly on the table before looking at his three guests. "I know you're all wondering why I have requested your audience, so I won't dawdle." He took a breath, as if the subject was a physical weight compressing his lungs.  "We are all aware of the spreading infection, not one of us hasn't seen the effects." He said that while looking at Herrah, who was about to say something. Probably along the lines of 'Deepnest is strong! We growled at the infection and it ran away!'

…well maybe not those words specifically.

"I have devised a plan to halt the infection , or better yet, stop it completely." The king resumed, looking back from Herrah to make eye contact with all three of them. "However, for this plan to work I'll need a little extra...insurance..to make sure things go smoothly." He took another breath. If it's hard for the King to say, how bad is it? "I'm…going to need your lives as sacrifice to ensure Hallownest lasts eternal."

Pardon?

Lurien felt like he had just been slapped in the face.

He didn't need to look to know that Monomon and Herrah shared the same aghast expression. "You three will act as a seal to ensure the 'infection' doesn't escape containment. If you choose to take the position you will be dubbed the Dreamers, but I won't force your hand." The King looked around the room, not oblivious to everyone's dismay.

He was expecting this.

He slowly continued "I am aware of how much you would be giving up if you choose to become a Dreamer. So I have decided to grant you all one request, a wish perhaps, in return for your sacrifice." Everyone stayed silent, but despite their prolonged speechless dismay, the King stayed patient.

Lurien was fine with giving up everything for the King, but he found himself reflecting on his life. The more he thought the more he couldn't believe how little living he had done. How many potential friends he had forsaken, how many destinations he hadn't been to, how many romantic opportunities he let slip by. He had expected that he still had time to experience all of these things he had to forego to become The Watcher.

Maybe he wasn't fine with giving everything up.

Monomon was the first to speak. "I wish for my school to become public. I want you to fund the teachers salaries, the students supply's and the upkeep of the school itself. So that anyone may learn any knowledge they so desire." She folded her tentacles on the table and held her head high. She knew how dire the situation was and she understood it was her duty to serve her Kingdom. "Very well," the King nodded. "I'm sure that your teachings will aid the further development of Hallownest." Monomon nodded her head in thanks and looked away from the Pale King, hiding her face.

Herrah had broken out of her daze and was now furious, "JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE??"  Herrah looked as if she was going to lunge at the King, but she knew better to attack the him. Neither less, her anger was justified.

"What exactly do you think will happen to Deepnest when I'm gone!?? Why would you ask me!?? Do you know just how insane you sound!!??" Even though Herrah had collected herself from her previous anger, her tone was still deafening. She snarled at the King, who didn't even flinch the violent look, before Monomon intervened.

"Herrah I know it's upsetting, but what other choice do you think we have? If he's said it must be us three then it must. This entire situation is ludicrous, and I know how hurt you feel, but in the end it's not about us." Herrah turned and glared at Monomon, but upon seeing just how genuinely somber her face was, Herrah began to realize just how dire things had become.

"Ok, fine."  Herrah turned and looked at the King again, her snarl clear and stubborn. "but I want to take something from you."  She thought for a bit, not once looking away from the Pale King. "I want your self-respect."  She folded her two front arms cockily.  He sighed "Just how am I supposed to do that? It's not something I can hand over."  His tone didn't discern him as sarcastic, but not serious either, as if he was trying to match Herrahs mood.  Herrah smirked "One night of dalliance, so you will forever know you fucked a mortal. And someone as lowly as a common beast."

Was that even allowed? He is our King for Wyrm's sake!

Nonetheless all the Pale King did was sigh, pressing his hand to the bridge of his face. "If you so wish."

WHAT?? HE WAS OK WITH IT??

THAT LITTLE ABHORRENT, NO GOOD, HARROWING MENICE!!

While Lurien was furiously cursing Herrah in his mind for being so outlandish, the Pale King turned and asked him "and what can I give you in turn for your cooperation?" Stopping Lurien chain of thought.  Lurien hadn't actually thought of what he wanted in return.

Do I want anything in return?

No, he was sure he was willing to give everything up for the King

He was sure.

"I wouldn't ask for anything in return. I am content and will forever be content knowing that I have the privilege of dying to serve someone as radiant as you." Lurien gushed, bowing his head as he complimented the King. The pale king froze a little at the compliment, only for a second, not long enough for any of the 'dreamers' to see. "I'm sure you are." The Pale King stated, almost sarcastically. "If any of the three of you have no questions, I will call the meeting adjourned."  He sat patiently for a few seconds, but no one had any questions.

That was all a lie, they all had a million, but no one said anything.  Maybe they all just wanted to go home and enjoy their possible last days alive or, should he say, awake. 

The king nodded his head, acknowledging the silence. "in that case, you should all expect a letter to confirm a time and date your sacrifice will be needed. I ask that you get your affairs in order, however don't expect a letter soon." He stood up from his chair and the newly proclaimed 'Dreamers' followed suit.

Monomon left the room first, saying a brief good-bye before surely crying. Lurien was impressed. She was the first to talk and didn't even let her voice waver. She definitely had realized the gravity of the situation first, and arguably had the most to lose.  Lurien wasn't even sure he had grasped it yet, maybe that's why he wasn't in tears after receiving his death sentence.

Herrah was the second to leave, whispering something along the lines of "you know where I live" in the Pale Kings ear before giving a brief chuckle and a wink before leaving. Lurien pitied her the most. She certainly wasn't taking the news too well either.

After Herrah had scuttled out, the Pale King spoke once more. "Lurien, if you ever change your mind about your request I will happily fill it." Lurien turned to face the King and nodded "Thank You my lord." 

But he didn't dare say any more, his eyes already beginning to well with tears.

Chapter 2: Loathsome acquaintance

A few days had passed after the meeting and Lurien had done exactly as the King asked. He said goodbye to the little friends he had, gave the Watcher Knights their final orders and had organized his paintings so that they wouldn't clutter the place while he was 'sleeping'.

"Is there anything I've missed?" Lurien asked his assistant "No sir," they replied while triple checking over a list that they had made the day prior, "I believe we have done everything to prepare for your absence.". Lurien wasn't blind nor heartless, he understood just how hard this all was on his butler after all the time they had spent together. "After I've fallen asleep I want you to document all of my findings and observations into Monomons Archives." Lurien requested. His assistant sniffed, trying to fight his tears "yes, sir."

Lurien bent down and pulled them into a hug. 
"You were my best butlers and one of my truest friends, I'll miss you." 
They couldn't hold back their tears any longer, crying into Luriens shoulder for as long as he let them.

-------

A few days had passed before Monomon and Lurien had decided to catch up over one of their regular tea breaks.

Monomon had offered to host and chose an outdoor setting. 
It had given them a lovely view of the bubbling acid and charmingly wild plants, Lurien guessed her intent was to enjoy it while they had the chance to.

"You always know the kind of tea I love," Lurien stated trying to change the somber mood, taking another drink from his cup. Monomon lightly laughed and nodded "Delicate flower tea, it's not easy to come by." Monomon stated and had a sip.

"You do seem to have a certain taste for Pale things." She mused, gazing off into the picturesque acid. Lurien looked up "whatever do you mean?"
She looked down to face him, tearing her eyes from the view "hmm? Oh! Sorry I just assumed." 
Lurien was now more confused. "Excuse me?" He set his tea down and turned his full attention to Monomon. "I had assumed you had a particular fondness for the Pale King, you are very sycophantic when it comes to him" She took a long sip of her tea, oblivious to Luriens face turning red with this sudden self-awareness.

Am I that dutiful? 

"Of course not!!” he quickly stated, trying to brush off some of the embarrassment. “He is our lord! It would be inappropriate to think otherwise!"

Monomon didn't look up from her tea.
"Mhmm. Oh! By the way, I invited Herrah to join us but I suspect she is running a little late." Lurien snapped his head around to Monomon. "Why would you do that? She was downright disrespectful at the meeting, and she probably wouldn’t even want to join us for tea!” Lurien complained, appalled.
Monomon faced Lurien with a stoic stare, silently challenging him. “Perhaps not, but we're all in the same boat so let's not try to sink it.”

Monomon took another long sip before going to refill her cup, only to find the teapot was empty. “Excuse me Quirrel?” she said, not raising her voice. Not needing to, to call over her assistant.

Lurien knew Quirrel, he had actually been one of his butlers before Lurien recommended him to Monomon. Quirrel just wasn't a good enough butler to fit the Watchers standards. He was always reading what he was supposed to be organizing and had always wanted to adventure. Lurien really didn't want to ruin that hunger for knowledge after he fired him, so he recommended him to Monomon instead. And from what he's heard, Quirrel had never been happier.

Quirrel poked his head into the large outdoor space, “Yes Madam?”. Lurien waved to him and he smiled and enthusiastically waved back. “I'm sorry to bother you at your studies, but could we please have some more Delicate Flower tea?” she asked politely, handing Quirrel the teapot. He took it immediately “of course! And it's no bother, I love helping out.” Quirrel hurried away, leaving Lurien alone with Monomon.

Lurien sighed, tilting his head to look down at the floor. “Hey Monomon…can I ask you a question?” Monomon nodded ”of course! What's on your mind?” Lurien looked her in the eyes and said somberly “now that we could die any day now, I've realized just how many things I won't be able to experience.” 

He stopped, sighed and then tried to speak again but his voice cracked with emotion. “It's ok, take a few deep breaths.” Monomon encouraged while gently patting Luriens back.
“I just..I dont..H-How….im sorry I don't quite know how to phrase it.” he gave a slightly sad laugh. Monomon frowned, worried for him, and continued to rub his back. “What does it feel like to be in love?” he sputtered out, looking at Monomon with a sorrowful expression. Monomon looked surprised, she wasn't expecting that. 
Maybe her friend wasn't doing as well as she had thought.

“Well, everyone loves differently, but in my experience, love feels like you have someone to talk to… but you hang off every word. It makes your heart flutter whenever you're around them and once you grow used to each other, you feel comfortable, like you have someone you can permanently trust.” Monomon fazed back into reality, not realizing she had gotten so lost in the explanation…maybe it was just the memory of …them.

She chuckled to herself before looking back at Lurien with a mischievous smile. “Why? Do you have a crush?” she teased, lightly flicking Lurien who tried to give a heartfelt smile. “No, I just realized I've never been in love properly, and I guess your description confirms it.” he looked back down somberly. “Wait, I said everyone feels love differently. Maybe you have been in love?” Lurien gave a hopeful chuckle, "maybe you're right.”

Quirrel came back with the pot of tea just as Monomon had requested, however that wasn't the only thing he brought back with him. Quirrel approached where Lurien and Monomon were having their heartfelt discussion, fiddling with the teapot. Clearly nervous.

“Umm Madam Monomon? I'm sorry to interrupt but Queen Herrah has arrived.” Quirrel brashly stated. Just as he had said, Herrah had followed him. She was, unsurprisingly, grumbling to herself once again.
Quirrel quickly set the teapot down and scurried off without a goodbye. 
Clearly unnerved by the intimidating presence of the spider's Queen.

“So what are you dorks talking about?” Herrah crudely asked while she slumped herself into, what Lurien assumed was a comfortable, sitting position.
Lurien snarled “No, Let's talk about how you behaved at the meeting!”

He pointed an accusatory finger at her. “You acted so out of line! And then you had the gall to ask the king for Dalliance!?” Herrah faced Lurien with a deadpan expression, “If you're that angry over it, then maybe you're jealous.” she stated slyly looking out over the acid. “You could just ask him, you know. I bet he would still fill your request.” She laid down on the grass cockily and closed her eyes, peacefully taking in the environment.

HOW.
DARE.
SHE.

Not only was Lurien furious at such a thing, but he was also bright red. Even through his mask you could see how scarlet he was.  Herrah opened her eyes to see his reaction and had to suppress a laugh. 

He was about to say something in his defense, but Herrah quickly cut him off. “Ya’know I've already had my request filled, and he's not half bad in the sheets.” she said matter-of-fact. Luriens face grew more scarlet.

"HOW DARE YOU SPEAK SO INFORMALLY OF HIS MAJESTY!" Lurien was not only red at the thought of his own dalliance with the King, he was red with anger. 
How could Herrah be so blasé about the whole thing? 

So blatantly disrespectful? 

"He asked if we wanted anything in return, and I just complied." Herrah shrugged her shoulders and sat up, raising one of the claws to check the teapot "oh neat, Delicate Flower." 

Lurien soon left, he couldn't stand her. 

He would never be able to stand her.

Chapter 3: Mindless heir

 

A few more days passed and Lurien was starting to wonder why he hadn't received any letter from the King. He was starting to wish he did ask questions when The King had offered, it was frustrating knowing so little. 

But Lurien wasn't one to waste opportunities, so he spent the time he had painting the increasingly infected city. Maybe when the king's plan worked they would be used as historical evidence. Proof the Pale King was so brilliant to come up with a solution to this pandemic. 

 

"Do I have anything scheduled for today?" Lurien inquired, he turned to face his butler who was re-organizing the piles and piles of painted canvases. But once Lurien had spoken, they immediately grabbed a list from one of the many stacks of paper.

"No sir, we have cleared your schedule so that you can go and help the King whenever it is needed." 

Lurien stopped and thought for a moment. He wasn't doing any good just sitting around his tower all day. "Well in that case, schedule an appointment with the King." Lurien requested, going back to his painting. 

They nodded and wrote a lonely sentence on a piece of black paper. 

 

Later that day, Lurien had taken his trip back up to the White Palace. 

His butler had forewarned that Lurien had requested an audience with the King so he wasn't showing up abruptly. 

Unlike someone he might know would do.  

Before entering the throne room where the King was residing, he adjusted his cloak and cleaned off the non-existent dirt. 

Taking a confident step through the doorway he saw the Pale King sitting on his throne, confirming documents that servants hurriedly brought up, while he was scrawling his thoughts down on a piece of paper. 

The whole scene was messy.

Lurien half considered turning around so that the King could have some space, but it would be irresponsible to not show up when he was expected to.

As soon as the King saw Lurien enter, he folded up his piece of paper and shooed away any servants that were crowding around him.

 

"Hello my faithful Watcher." The King said, getting up from his throne and gracefully walking towards Lurien. Lurien quickly bowed, "What is the reason you have requested my presence?" The King delicately said, his voice as smooth as weavers silk. 

Lurien almost found himself lost in a trance when he spoke, but not wanting to keep the King waiting he didn't stay lost in his voice for too long. "I have a few inquiries about how you plan to seal the infection away." Lurien said, bowing his head slightly in a force of habit. 

The Pale King almost stiffened, only for a second, before saying "of course, when you play such an important role it would be inconsiderate to keep you in the dark." 

The Pale King started to walk towards the massive door frame and beckoned for Lurien to follow him. Lurien didn't waste any time, catching up so that he was just slightly behind and to the side of the King.

 

The two walked through the halls of the White Palace in silence. 

Lurien didn't mind, it gave him a chance to truly appreciate the king's luminous beauty. How flawless his shell was, how neat he kept his cloak, how handsome his structure is. Lurien was just engulfed in the King's Majesty, but he knew that every bug in Hallownest probably thought the same about their great ruler. 

Why wouldn't they? The praise was accurately given. 

The Pale King had led them to a spacious area semi-outdoors, overlooking the illustriousness of the White Palaces garden. 

The Queen of Hallownest had requested that the King put a garden in, she had always had a love for plants and had her own gardens on the west side of Hallownest. With her being a root herself it wasn't so far fetched that she would share a special bond with botanic life. 

But nonetheless, she made the gardens look sublime.

Now that he thought about it, it was odd that he hadn't seen her in the Palace. 

The King led Lurien over to a bench that was made with such artistry he was afraid he would tarnish its beauty if he sat on it, and waved his hand in an offer for him to take a seat. Despite his concerns with the quality, he sat anyway. After all, it was rude to not do as the King asks. 

 

"So what inquiries do you have for me?" The King asked once he to sat down. Lurien found himself subconsciously shuffling closer to the King. He was glad he had caught himself doing this, otherwise the King would have surely noticed and thought Lurien was insane.

"I was just wondering why we haven't been called for the sacrifice yet." Lurien simply put, he was planning to say more but he was afraid it might make him look like he didn't trust the king's plans. 

The King looked out over the gardens, a far away gaze fell over his face and he sighed "Our plans are in action, however we may need a little more time." He turned to look at Lurien, "We have selected a vessel to contain the infection, but it is not ready for such a responsibility." He looked back over to the gardens and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. 

Lurien thought over his words, but as he did he increasingly became more alarmed.

"You're talking about this 'vessel' as if it's a living being." Lurien stated, his tone becoming more heavy. 

The tension between them grew the longer the Pale King didn't answer, finally he got up and once again beckoned for Lurien to follow him. "I am going to show you something, but I must warn you not to engage with it." He walked back into the main area of the Palace and Lurien began to panic. 

Whatever this thing was, the Pale King hadn't made it sound friendly. 

Lurien readied himself, he wasn't the best at defense, but he wasn't the worst, and he was willing to hurt someone if they attacked him. 

 

The Pale King stopped just outside one of the many training rooms in the White Palace.

Lurien was familiar with this space, it was where he had selected many of his watcher knights. 

They entered the room, and inside was a tiny bug whacking a training dummy with a small nail. "Why do you have a child training here?" Lurien asked, confused at the thought that the King would do something as irresponsible as to let a child run around all the sharp and heavy equipment. 

"This is the vessel for the infection." The Pale King stated. 

As soon as he spoke the 'vessel' stopped what they were doing and turned to look at the King, before calmly walking over to him. 

The King could feel Luriens shock. 

Why would he place such a burden on a Child?

"Don't worry, it doesn't have a mind." He said tiredly, almost as if it was normal.

The vessel stared blankly.

"No will to break, no voice to cry suffering, it will rid Hallownest of this unsightly plague." He pointed back to where the vessel had been training and it immediately complied, leaving the two alone again. "It still needs to grow before it can be used." The King then turned around and left the room. 

Lurien followed, but was still in shock.

He understood that it wasn't placing any sort of burden on the tiny big if they couldn't even feel, but something about using a living being still felt wrong to him.

But the King is never wrong.

...and never will be .

Lurien thought about the vessel some more.

Who gave up their child to be used in such an experiment?

"If you don't mind me asking my lord, who gave up their child for such a purpose?" Lurien inquired while they walked. The Pale King stopped walking and thought for a while. "I manufactured it just as I have manufactured my guards." 

With that he resumed walking, but now it was almost less dignified. As if he was rushing.

Lurien knew that at least half the staff that worked at the White Palace were void entities. Him and the King had actually had an entire discussion on how you could shape void into life. Of course during that entire discussion Lurien was just paying attention to the King's attributes, how passionate he was about his work, how intelligent he was and how it was them spending time together.

Just us two.

But Lurien was Impressed that he made a void creature without a mind that functioned so well, and one with a shell for that matter. Usually they had to be given artificial shells and could still feel some feelings, not being completely devoid of mind. 

"I'm quite impressed that you were able to manufacture such a creature! Just how many tries did it take to get it right?" Lurien gushed. Even though the King was very smart he was still subject to failure in his experiments, usually needing a few tries before getting it right. 

But Luriens words did something to the King.

He had Stopped walking.

His face was full of sorrow and regret. 

He even looked ill.

Lurien saw just what he had done to the King.

“I'm so sorry my lord, it wasn't my pla-" he was cut off with the king's head snapping to look at him. 

"I thank you for your company Lurien but I think it's time you should leave." 

With that the King briskly walked down the hall leaving Lurien to show himself the door. 

 

—------ 

 

Lurien spent the rest of that afternoon overthinking the King's reaction.

Did I overstep?

Does he still respect Me?

Does he want to banish me after I made him feel so terrible? 

Lurien knew that the Pale King wouldn't banish him, but he was so wrapped up in his own head he wasn't able to listen to reason. 

So to distract himself from his thoughts, he decided to go back to watching over the City. If he wasn't needed until the vessel grew, then he might as well be of what use he could. 

 

Monomon had come over to visit him in his tower, after giving him a couple days' space from their previous chat.

She had brought a small package of the Delicate flower tea as a peace offering and apologized on Herrahs behalf. Lurien wasn't unreasonable, so he let her stay so he could fill her in on the current situation. 

Turns out, Monomon had some news of her own. 

"So it turns out Herrahs night with the King has led her to be expecting." Monomon mused, knowing Lurien wouldn't be pleased. "Are you serious?" Lurien asked, his face showing no emotion. 

How could she be serious?  

Herrah couldn't possibly be having the Pale King's child. That's further from inappropriate than anything she's done so far!

Monomon chose her next words carefully so as to not upset Lurien any further.

"She is still a while from birth, but she had invited us to the welcoming of her child." 

Lurien gave a quick sarcastic laugh. 

"Does she really expect us to go? We don't even know her that well." Monomon looked him dead in the eyes "I expect us to go. We three are the Dreamers. It would be rude not to." 

With that she added "I know she's not your type of person, but I do urge you to try and get along with her." Before Lurien could get another word in, she excused herself and left the spire. 

 

Lurien still hadn’t fully processed the news.

Herrah? 

The Mother of the Pale Kings child?

The whole thing baffled and infuriated Lurien, but Monomon had been right. 

 

They were all in the same boat.

Chapter 4: Unexpected fear

The more time passed the quicker the infection spread.

Lurien noted that more and more bugs were staying indoors. The fear of getting infected had increased greatly now that nearly every bug that had gotten infected had died or was beginning to die. But no matter how little contact you had with others, you would still catch it. 

Lurien was the most shocked when he received the news that one of the King's most loyal assassins had tried to kill him. It was a shame, apparently he was one of the best assassins that had ever resided in the White Palace. But inevitably got infected. He was executed immediately by the King's own hand. Honestly, Lurien would consider him lucky to be given a grave. 

But now Lurien was starting to suspect something more sinister was behind the infection, if it was making those innocent bugs so aggressive.

 

Lurien had decided to go back to visit the King so that he could apologize. He still wasn't sure of what he had said to make the Pale King so uncomfortable, but he was sure it was something dreadful.

Once his butler had said that they notified the palace of his arrival, he left. Deciding to take the scenic route to the stag station. 

He carried an umbrella over his head as he navigated through the paths and allies of the City of Tears, holding a small box filled with tea under his cloak. He had taken a page out of Monomons book and had gotten it for the King. Besides, with how overworked he looked a bit of calming tea couldn't hurt. 

 

Once he reached the stag station he realized just how empty the streets had been. The good news was he didn't need to wait for a stag. 

"Hello Lurien!" The stag exclaimed. "Back off to the White Palace?" Lurien approached the stag, and it bent down to let him board. "Yes, thank you. I hope the infection hasn't been keeping you from your work." The stag shook its head, "My life is my work, and I quite like my life. The infection is nothing compared to it." Lurien quite admired the stag, especially how dedicated it was. 

The stag graciously took him to the white palace and thanked Lurien for the trip, before marching off to transport the next bug.

 

Lurien had found it out of the ordinary to see barely anyone around the entrance of the white palace. It was usually crowded with bugs talking about the latest political news or business plans. Today however, only a few bugs dotted the vast entrance.

But no matter how strange he found it he walked through and to the main section of the White Palace. He made his way to the throne room but found not a lot of bugs there either. Only a few servants and guardsmen. 

Odd..

He wandered the halls a little more, still seeing none of the usual White Palace lurkers. Lurien chalked it up to the fear of the infection, but the Pale King would still be here. 

He wandered the halls trying to listen for any sign of the Pale King, until he eventually came across a small door marked 'The Kings Workshop'. He pressed his ear up against the door. No sound . This was the last rational place the King would be. 

So against his better judgement, that he shouldn't enter for the sake of the Wyrm's privacy, he went in. 

 

The workshop was a massive tiled room filled with strange equipment and random puddles of void that seeped in through the floor. It had a low ceiling, which was unusual considering the normal architecture of the White Palace, but it was also strangely dark. It wasn't so dark you couldn't see, but Lurien was definitely having a hard time trying not to trip over anything.

Lurien looked around more and saw the Pale King hunched over his desk, a faint lumafly just barely illuminating his weary face. He was reading a book with a very dark black cover, but he looked as if he was barely paying attention to it.

The next thing Lurien noticed was just how dull he looked. 

He usually glowed a white light, but now he seemed more dreary. 

"My Lord, are you feeling alright?" Lurien spoke approaching the Pale King. Luriens words seemed to startle him,as he quickly fixed his posture and then cleared his throat "oh Lurien. I didn't see you enter." He swiftly closed the book he was reading and covered any open scrolls on his desk before hurriedly meeting Lurien halfway to his desk. 

"I'm sorry my King, but I wanted to apologize for what I had said in our last visit. I have also brought some Delicate Flower tea as a gift." He faced the Pale King and only then noticed how beat down he looked. The King had massive bags under his eyes and looked like he was going to fall asleep at any moment.

"Oh yes, thank you." the King said quickly, as if he was trying to hurry Luriens visit up. Lurien handed him the box of tea and he placed it down onto the nearest table not covered with books. Oddly, they were all written in a language Lurien couldn't read. 

"I'm sorry to ask my King, but are you faring well?" Lurien didn't want to leave yet, recognizing the king's fatigue as something he himself felt when he was overworked.

"Yes, thankyou for your worry, but I do need to get back to my work and you probably need to get back to yours." He tried to excuse Lurien but he didn't leave, and Lurien was about to do something he never would have thought he would do.

"No, I will not leave." 

As soon as Lurien said it he felt regret.

"Excuse me?" 

The King slowly turned around and made eye contact with Lurien.  

Lurien nervously swallowed.

"I will not leave you while you are in this state." 

The Pale King slowly approached Lurien again, but this time Lurien found it harder to keep his ground. The King no longer looked tired and scrawny, he looked hostile. As if he would tear Lurien in half with a flick of his wrist, and Lurien knew he could.

Everything in his mind and body screaming at him to back down.

"I have asked you nicely, Lurien, but I will not ask you nicely again. Leave." 

The King suddenly looked much more intimidating than he had ever had. 

Seeming to tower over Lurien.

"You don't look alright. I urge you to take a break." 

Lurien now couldn't help but shuffle backwards as the King continued to approach him. His footsteps clicking menacingly on the smooth floor.

“I will not have you telling me off for my work ethic”

He stared through Lurien. How could he be so upset with Lurien worrying over him? Is something more going on putting so much stress on him?

Lurien opened his mouth to speak again, but found that he physically couldn't.

"This is your final warning, Watcher. Leave." 

The Pale King's voice seemed to be ten times louder despite him not having raised his voice. 

The King now had Lurien virtually pinned to the door, but he still walked closer, his tone getting more dangerous. Lurien could feel his heart thumping against his chest. 

"Yes your Majesty, I am sorry for my arrogance." 

 

Lurien then quickly turned around and hurried out the door rushing as fast as he could through the halls of the Palace. 

At least he had left the tea there. 

Maybe the King would sit down and enjoy a cup to relax.

Chapter 5: Botanic Mother

Lurien burst out of the entrance of the White Palace, panting from the sudden exertion.  While trying to catch his breath, he thought about how intimidating the King was. 

Lurien couldn't help but worry over what kind of mental state he seemed to be in. Was the infection seriously putting that much stress onto his shoulders?

Lurien had also noticed that the White Lady still hadn't been present. 

He wasn't due to be back to the Spire for another good few hours, so he decided to go to the Queen's gardens to check for the White Lady. She was known for often taking her leave there.

 

He would be lying if he had said he wasn't excited. Lurien just hadn't done a lot of travel in his life, so he had never seen her majesty's garden. Maybe it would be enough to get his mind off of the King.

He staggered up to the stag station, still slightly puffing, and rang the bell. He didn't even need to wait 5 mins before the kind stag marched up to Lurien.

“Oh my, Lurien, are you all right?” the stag said after seeing how frazzled he was. “Yes, I just hadn't realized how out of shape I am.” The stag chuckled “oh well, do you want me to take you back to the Watchers spire?” Lurien shook his head and had one last deep breath before composing himself. “No thankyou, I would, however, like to go to the Queens Gardens” The stag lowered itself and Lurien boarded. “Oh! Are you suddenly feeling adventurous?” the stag teased before running off into the winding tunnel.

 

The stag dropped Lurien off at Queens Station, and he immediately marveled at the lustrous plants that grew wildly-domestic around the platform.

There were tall leaves with white finishes, colorful flowers with bubbly stems, Clover-like plants that spread everywhere and so many more you couldn't describe the beauty of. Seeing Luriens reaction, the stag smiled. “These gardens are as beautiful as ever, I feel you will really enjoy them.” and with that he thundered off, leaving Lurien with his admiration. 

 

Lurien took his time in the gardens. Slowly wandering and trying to soak up all of its beauty. 

He noticed that there were quite a few more bugs here than there were back in the City of Tears. They were all out for walks or playing board games at the occasional table or even just sitting and laughing with each other. Lurien could seriously get used to this happy social atmosphere. 

He had stopped to ask a few bugs of the Queen's whereabouts, but none of them could give him an answer. So Lurien decided he would have to look for himself. 

Still marveling at all the diverse plants around him, he wandered for so long he found himself lost. Luckily, he had wandered to a building that was behind some very tall elephant leaves. He walked up to the structure, only to be disappointed that it was in a state of disrepair. He sighed and wandered in anyway, maybe there would be an old map he could use to navigate himself back to the stag station. 

As he explored the ruined building, he noticed some very strange stems growing along cracks in the walls and floor. These stems glowed a bright pale light. 

Lurien felt they were…

..familiar. 

He took a good look around the abandoned space and noticed more and more of these pale plants. 

They grew thicker toward a very large crack in one of the back walls. Lurien ventured through the crack and saw more and more of these plants the further he walked.  The spacious hallway got almost completely covered in these pale plants as he walked towards a room hidden from the rest of the gardens.  

 

Two voices grew louder the closer he drew near. "My Lady, you should really return to the palace soon. People are going to start to worry about your absence." 

Lurien recognized this voice…but where from? 

"Nonsense Dryya! I am quite enjoying my time away from all that panic." A hearty chuckle followed. Lurien had decided to enter the room only to be greeted with a pin at his throat. "Who are you, you bothersome inconvenience?" Lurien looked down at his attacker. His neck strained upwards, trying not to get stabbed. 

"Dryya! It's been ever so long!" But even with his welcoming greeting, Dryya didn't lower her guard. Luckily the White lady recognized Lurien and intervened before any of his hemolymph was spilled. "Dear Watcher! What brings you to my gardens?" 

But before he could answer, the Queen covered her mouth daintily with one of her hands and gasped "How did you find me?" Dryya lowered her weapon once she saw how friendly the White lady was with him, and stood back at the White Lady's side.

Lurien and Dryya had known each other. They usually saw each other as Lurien passed through to and from his weekly meetings with the King while Dryya protected the Queen, but they had never had enough time to properly talk or get to know one another. All he knew for sure was that she wasn't called fierce Dryya for no reason.

Lurien relaxed and was offered a seat next to the White Lady as he explained how he had found her. She sighed as he told her he was able to find her by some mysterious overgrown pale plant. "I grow those plants, so that other roots such as myself may one day roam this earth." She lovingly stroked one of the pale stems beside her. "They take quite a while before they fully sprout. So I grow them here, concealed and safe from the outside world." Lurien looked at one of the tiny stems then looked back at the White lady. It seemed almost impossible that something that small could turn into other pale beings. 

"But aside from that, why do you seek me?" The White Lady said, placing her hands neatly onto her lap and turned her body to face Lurien. "I had started to wonder where you had gone, I hadn't seen you around the White Palace and was beginning to worry." Dryya let out a high pitched Ha and then mumbled something along the lines of "I told you so.". The White Lady ignored her, her attention still trained on Lurien. "I left before Wyrm put that vessel plan of his into action, I did what he needed help with." the White Lady crossed her legs over another and cleared her throat. "then I decided to take a well needed vacation to my gardens.".

Lurien nodded. He understood where she was coming from. He was starting to get a little freaked out himself over this whole pandemic. “Have you visited my Wyrm recently?”. Lurien nodded “Just today actually, He seems like he's overworking himself.” 

Lurien paused. 

Would she take it well if she knew just how badly the King was dealing with his stress? Lurien had decided not to tell her, she said she needed a break and Lurien wasn't going to bring stress to her. 

“Oh that tired Wyrm.” The White Lady playfully stated. “He doesn't know when to just put his quill down.” she fondly laughed. 

“So, have you decided what you want in return for your sacrifice?” the Queen queried. Lurien was taken aback “I thought you had left the Palace before the meeting took place.” The Queen nodded her head. “My Wyrm knows I retreat here and has kept in touch with me about anything that concerns the kingdom's wellbeing.” Dryya spoke up “They really just gossip about the things that take place in the White Palace.” The White Lady looked down at Dryya and then back up to Lurien. “It's all the same in the end.” she stated hiding a cheeky grin “but don't distract from my question.”.

Lurien thought for a bit, his mind wandered to his and Herrahs conversation.

“I bet if you asked he would say yes.”   

He faced the White Lady “I don't want to ask the King for anything in return, his efforts to protect the kingdom are enough.” The Queen nodded. “If you are sure, Lurien.”

..he…

…he was sure.

Chapter 6: Crying city

Lurien returned to his Tower very late, he wasn't expecting his visit to the White lady to take as much time as it did.  

"I was so worried!" Luriens assistant nearly shouted at him. They had anxiously been waiting by the door for hours, and hadn't left Luriens side ever since he returned. 

This was half the reason Lurien had chosen them for his personal assistant in the first place. They actually cared about Lurien. They would actually go out of their way to go above and beyond for him. Usually staying up with Lurien, as he slaved away at his work, to bring him cups of different herbal tea. He also tried to keep Lurien to a strict sleep schedule, but he usually didn't follow it. 

On their first meeting they had told Lurien their name, but he rarely needed to use it. With them being the only other bug in the room, Lurien couldn't direct the conversation to anyone else. 

Lucien didn't mind. He didn't need to use their name to know Lurien cared for them.

Lucien would be ashamed to admit it, but they used to have a crush on Lurien. After they realized how much it was taking away from actually caring for Lurien they let it fizzle out. Loving him enough to let him go.

After Lucien spent an unreasonable amount of time urging Lurien to go to bed, he managed to convince him that sleep wasn’t his enemy. 

Ever since Luriens initial meeting with the King, he hadn't liked the idea of sleeping too much. If he was going to go into a permanent coma, why sleep now? 

He had never really liked sleeping though, he was always far too anxious about the work he needed to get done. He was also very susceptible to nightmares, it made sleeping very unpleasant. 

 

-------

 

Lurien woke up from a fitful sleep, his sheets thrown half on his bed and half on the floor. His chest heaving with shallow quick breaths.

Because of how busy he had been in the first few weeks of being The Watcher, he had decided to place his bed in a side room just off of his part of the spire. This let him stay up late watching over the City of Tears, another excuse to not sleep. 

A steaming cup of herbal tea was resting on his bedside table. He drank it gratefully, remembering to thank Lucien later. Lucien always left a relaxing cup of tea on his bedside table, for when he would wake up. Lurien sat in his tangled sheets and thought. Calming his frantic breathing down.

Just how much has Lucien done for me?

The more he thought back to the many times Lucien helped him, the more guilt he felt. Even though Lucien was paid to help him, they always did so much more. Spending their own time and sacrificing their own sleep to take care of Lurien. 

Lurien continued to drink his tea thoughtfully.

He looked out over the City, enjoying the peaceful rain that constantly fell. Holding his warm cup in his hands. He couldn't see many bugs on the streets. The people that were outside hurried through the rain and into cafes or places of business. 

Lurien hadn't actually been that present in the City himself after he had become The Watcher. Yes, he had grown up here, but he's never had a chance to experience the city as it changed and grew. 

He placed his empty cup back on the nightstand, re-arranged his sheets and put on a clean cloak. 

He reached under his mask and rubbed his face. It uncomfortably pressing into his forehead. He didn't usually sleep with his mask on, it was quite annoying. But he had spent so much of yesterday running around the Queens Gardens, he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. 

 

Lurien entered the main area of his spire, and saw Lucien filling some of his documented observations. 

"Good morning!" Lurien exclaimed, walking up to Lucien. As soon as they heard him speak, they smiled. "Good morning sir." They set the scrolls they were holding onto his desk before facing Lurien. "Are you planning to watch over the city today?". 

Lurien shook his head excitedly and walked towards the elevator that acted as a door to his tower, Lucien followed suit. "I have decided to take in the wonders of the City of Tears before I am no longer able to." Hearing those words Lucien's smile drop, clearly not wanting to hear about his master's departure. "But you look over the city everyday. Surely you must have enjoyed all the beauty it has to offer." They both entered the elevator and Lucien tugged on the single switch. "Looking at a landscape isn't the same as being presently there, and I want to experience everything I can before my time arrives." The elevator clunked before slowly descending into the Watcher Knights quarters.

Luriens tower was made in such a way that if an intruder tried to break into The Watchers room, the Watcher knights would be able to stop them. Lurien was very grateful for this. A surprising number of troublemakers, that Lurien would have spotted and documented during his watching period, tried to sabotage any reports made on them before they could be prosecuted. 

His Knights were very friendly souls, and brilliant fighters. Chosen specially by Luriens own hand. They all got along together like they were family. They were some of the most devastated when they heard the news about Luriens sacrifice and were even planning to throw him a 'going away party'. It was supposed to be a surprise, but Lurien knew anyway. 

He was the Watcher after all. 

The elevator stopped at the entrance of the Knights Quarters. He was delightfully welcomed with the kind "hellos'' of his loyal guards. 

Thump! 

Lurien jolted and looked to where the loud bang had come from.

Two of the older more experienced Knights were having a sparring bout in the middle of the room, and it was getting heated. The two nails clanged against each other in swift slices. The other knights that were stationed around the edge, that had offered their brief greetings to Lurien, had already been hooked back into the intensity of the match. 

The wild but precise slashes nearly pierced shell, one cut after another getting closer and closer to being potentially deadly. Lurien had almost felt as if he needed to break it up, but he knew better than to distract them. Figuring that they were experienced enough to not accidentally kill one another. 

One of the Knights slashed, nearly taking the other one's horns off, but she quickly ducked and used the motion to sweep his feet from out under him. He slammed into the ground, landing roughly. She then jumped up into the air positioning her nail above his head before plummeting back down towards the ground, pushing her weapon with such force it looked as if it was going to crack. The other Knight rolled away just in time to dodge what would have been a finishing move, and leapt at her, not giving her enough time to regain her bearings after her landing. He rolled into her, the great force shoving her to the ground. Then struck.

The bout ended with a nail stationed just above one of the knight's faces, congratulatory cheers filling the prior hushed room. Puffing, the winning knight smiled and graciously helped the pinned guard up and shook her hand, helping her up. "You almost had me Luma, I expected you to slice my shell in half!" They both had a hearty laugh and walked to the side of the training area. 

Noticing Lurien they bowed, still out of breath. "Master Lurien! We hadn't expected you to visit us today." Luma said, the both of them standing back up straight to face Lurien. “That was quite the match!” he exclaimed, he was sure he couldn't do something as impressive as that. Luma bashfully rubbed her head, “Thankyou, although Sanan got a little too close for comfort.” She playfully nudged his shoulder and he gave a chuckle, “your one to talk.”

Lurien said a proper hello to a few other of his Knights before exiting into the lobby of the spire. 

 

“You chose those knights well.” Lucien spoke, trying to provoke conversation. Lurien nodded “I took great care in selecting them.” This was true. Lurien had spent a good week deciding who he should employ as his Watcher Knights. They were all very impressive, they had all trained in the White Palace so that was to be expected. 

Lurien had considered employing the young nailmasters, but they were still too naïve to fit any serious role. He couldn't discredit them though, they were all very skilled considering their age. 

“I wonder what ever happened to those three.” He mumbled to himself. “Pardon?” Lucien inquired. “Hmm, oh I was just thinking of those three young nailmasters.” Lurien mused walking past his secretary, who was too busy searching through his drawer to notice Lurien walk past and out the front door. Lucien hummed “Those three are brothers, correct?” They looked up at Lurien who was grabbing an umbrella from a drying stand just outside the door. “Yes, they had all seemed very close to one another, however I've heard they have had a falling out.” He popped open the umbrella and beckoned Lucien to join him under its shelter. “That's rather unfortunate.” Lucien sighed and gazed off into the distance.

“I had a rather ‘unpleasant’ fight with my sibling.” they looked at the ground sadly and said softly “I wish we could have kept touch.” Lurien wasn't too aware of Lucien's family life, they hadn't liked talking about it much and usually changed the subject whenever the topic arose. 

“Is that why you became my Butler?” Lurien asked, wanting to understand his troubled friend. They gave a laugh and shrugged, “They left home before I did, but I found it easy to distract myself with my work, so I quickly climbed the ranks and was able to be offered the position of The Watchers personal assistant.” Lucien sighed “I guess I became too consumed in my work and forgot to reconnect with them.” 

They looked away from Lurien, not wanting their Master to see just truly how upset they were. 

They walked the Streets of the City in silence for the next few minutes, the sound of the soft rain almost deafening in the sudden quiet. 

Lurien felt he needed to cheer his assistant up, it wasn't right for someone so caring to be feeling so dreadful. Lurien suddenly stopped walking, accidently making Lucien bump into him, and turned into one of the many coffee shops that lined the once busy streets. 

“Here, take a break Lucien.” He handed them a couple pieces of geo. “You overwork yourself and I've been ignorantly blind to it.” Lucien looked up at The Watcher. “I ask that you stay and buy yourself a drink to relax. Maybe even wander the streets and buy a book or two.” Lucien gave a small smile and laughed.

 

“Ok, Lurien.”

 

And with that, they turned into the café. 

Lurien knew that they probably couldn't have taken a well deserved rest unless they were ordered to, so that's exactly what Lurien did.

 

—----

 

Lurien spent the majority of his day just gazing up at the brilliant buildings. 

It certainly was different now he was the one looking up and not down. He peacefully walked through the rain filled streets, the only other sound being the small clicks of his feet along the pebbled pathways.  

He had come across a poster neatly placed on the door of a closed fabric shop, inviting him to an art gallery. He was an artist himself, so he thought appreciating some of the citizens' art would be a good way to spend the remainder of his day. 

As he travelled to where the art gallery was held, he was beginning to pass more and more bugs. He did, however, see small specks of orange in some of their eyes. 

The first sign of infection.

He couldn't help but feel remorse as he passed those few bugs, as if he was already mourning their gruesome slow deaths.

He soon found that the bugs had come to bear witness to the art as well. He couldn't help but smile at that. It was always great to see other people interested in his hobby.

The art gallery was held in a majestic building with grand stairs leading up to two wide double doors. A small admission booth was stationed just outside the entrance with a bored looking teen bug stagnantly sitting behind it. 

Lurien approached the booth and smiled at the bug who upon seeing Lurien jumped up and looked alert. “Hello Watcher! You may enter whenever you please.” They then made an over dramatic hand gesture motioning to the door and bowed. “Thank You very much.” Lurien replied, holding back a cheeky smile. He would be lying if he said he didn't find the effect his status had on other bugs a bit amusing. 

He shook off the rain from his umbrella and leaned it in the drying rack station next to the grand doors, before entering.

He leisurely waltzed through the gallery's many rooms. Each with different paintings hung up, more exquisite than the last. With every room he admired the artists more and more, taking special note to look for the large amount of detail they had always seemed to put into their work. 

Lurien stopped when he got to one piece in particular. It was a rendition of the Pale King. He was painted holding his hand out, graciously offering something to the other bugs depicted on the canvas. 

 

Lurien shivered.

 

He thought back to his confrontation with the King. His heart thumped like he was back in the Kings workshop. Lurien knew he was a god, the power he possessed was probably nothing like he had ever seen before. So it was justified that Lurien had been so frightened.

He knew that if it came down to it, The King wouldn't hurt him. But a strange part of him tried to convince him otherwise.

 

And an even stranger part of him liked being at his mercy. 

Chapter 7: Soulful soulless

Luriens tower had become quiet. 

With him ordering Lucien to take more time off, there was no one to talk to. Of course he could go visit the Watcher Knights, but they could always get a little too rowdy. Sometimes somehow convincing Lurien to spar with them. It never ended up well, Lurien wasn't the best fighter and didn't practice using soul as a weapon as much as he should, but for that reason he would be forever grateful that he had the Watcher Knights. 

So to fill the silence he had decided to paint. His brush made a soft sweeping noise each time he stroked the canvas. He quite enjoyed playing with the color, always happy that he could turn a blank space into a stunning field or a sparkling lake or anything really. That was the joy of it. 

He worked on his painting for a while. Enjoying the sweeping with the soft pitter patter of the rain outside his windows. Watching his canvas turn into the barren cityscape that was outside his wide windows, Lurien sighed. It was sad to see his home become practically abandoned. 

It was certainly different from how it had been. bugs out eating street food, hurriedly going to work, enjoying the public parks or just general tomfoolery. 

Lurien knew everyone was just inside their homes in self isolation, even though the way the infection spread wasn't through physical contact. 

Truth be told, no one knew how the infection was spread. All they knew is that it would start by invading your mind and then by mutilating your body. 

Lurien shivered.

 

The sound of his elevator clicking broke him out of his thoughts.

"Hello Watcher." 

Lurien held back a groan. He recognized the voice almost instantly.

"Hello Soul Master."

He put his brush into a cup of water, turned on his stool, almost knocked over his canvas, and faced the Soul Master. "What do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Lurien almost punched himself in the face after insinuating that he enjoyed his company. 

They didn't have a cooperative past due to the Soul Master having some psychopathic tendencies, thankfully always held back by the King. For whatever reason he always tried to get Lurien to join in with his little escapades that, if not reigned in, would lead to someone getting killed. 

And not by accident. 

The Soul Master stepped out of the elevator and looked out of one of Luriens windows. "My my, you can really see the whole city from up here." He gave a small chuckle and faced Lurien with a snide smile "remind me again, just how do you benefit the city? You seem more of a pervert watching all those bugs all day every day."

Lurien was used to his nasty remarks. He knew the Soul Master had a kick out of seeing him mad. 

Sadist.  

So Lurien simply didn't show him any emotion. 

"I assure you my intentions are nothing perverse, and I watch to make sure everything in the city goes as smoothly as it can." Lurien stood up and walked over to his telescope. The last time Soul Master visited he had tampered with it when he pretended to look through it. Another one of his tricks to annoy Lurien. "But I must ask again, why have you sought me?" 

The Soul Master giggled. "Am I not allowed to make conversation with our dear Watcher? Or are you busy?" he cackled. "I know you must have your plate full, trailing around after the King all day is a very draining task." Lurien rolled his eyes.

We both work for the King. you trail after him too.

"If simple pleasantries are all you have come here for ,then yes, I am quite busy." 

He sat down at his telescope and looked out of it, hoping that if he acted like he was working the Soul Master would leave. 

"Ok fine, I have come here to inform you that I have formulated a plan to defeat the infection." The Soul Master admitted, Lurien immediately perking up at hearing that. Interested at the thought of helping all the bugs he Watched over.

The Soul Master was a greatly renowned scientist and scholar, so it was very likely he could have found a way to keep this disease at bay.  

"I plan to use the remaining life-force of the dying bugs to prolong the life of the living." The Soul Master stated, excited at Luriens sudden interest. 

Lurien stopped. 

He wasn't serious. 

That was practically murder. 

But it definitely wasn't above him.

Besides, the bugs that were dying had very little soul to give, and there has been no proven methods of safely transferring one bug's life-force into another.

"Soul Master, you have to agree that that's just being irrational. Even if you were to go through with something as malicious as that, there's no way to safely transfer two different bugs' soul." Lurien urged him. He had turned from his telescope to face Soul Master. As much as he tried not to let Soul Master get to him, disgust was clear on his face. 

The Soul Master's face grew dark as a wide and wicked grin appeared on his face.

"I've manufactured a way to give and take soul, I didn't expect it to take as many attempts as it did though." He cackled as Lurien realized the vast weight of what he had said 

 

"Get out." 

Soul Master broke out of his devilish state and turned to face Lurien, shocked that he of all bugs would talk to him like he was a mere peasant! 

"Excuse me?" 

Lurien titled his head up and Soul Master could see the horrified look in his eyes, but his voice rang still and clear. "I will not have you talk so vilely in my presence, GET OUT." Lurien emphasized his demand by pointing to the elevator.

Soul Master was beyond furious. Not only had Lurien disrespected him, he had also shown him the door, kicked him out! 

Treated him like he was a villain! 

He was not going to let it slide. 

"Do you know who I am?" Soul Master started, trying to intimidate Lurien by reminding him of his accumulated strength. "I know plenty, and I won't ask again." Lurien raised his voice. He wasn't quite shouting, but still loud enough to be a little scary. 

Lurien wasn't scary.

No.

haha , he was just the Watcher.

The Soul Master knew that. 

So why was he intimidated by this glorified pest?

 

"Is everything ok?" Lucien came into view, ascending with the elevator that Lurien hadn't noticed was in use. He was far too angry to care. 

"Silence you ill-bred bastard. You have no business here." The Soul Master growled at Lucien, further angering Lurien. It was one thing to threaten him, but it wasn't necessary to bring other bugs into their feud. 

"Do not talk to my court in that manner, LEAVE. That is your final warning." Lurien proclaimed, a whisper of soul manifesting in his hand as his hemolymph boiled. 

He was ready to fight if need be. 

Seeing this, Lucien scrambled to flick the elevator switch and descended. Silently willing the elevator to move quicker. 

 

The Soul Master let out a manic laugh. "Oh my dear Watcher! What are you planning to do if I don't leave?" A crackle of Soul manifested a large glowing orb in his hand. 

Lurien winced.  That wasn't a normal sized weapon for any bug to create, no matter how much soul they had. that was undoubtedly some other poor bug's soul, maybe even more than one.

Nonetheless, Lurien manifested his soul into a small nail. The Soul Master didn’t see Lurien clutching the petite glowing nail and continued his taunts. "We could help all these bugs! Free them." He smiled and faced the soul orb, as if his last few words were aimed at them, and the hushed voices emanating from it grew into a silent scream. 

Begging for mercy.

"That was your last warning." Lurien launched at him, swiping his concealed hand at the side of the Soul Masters face. 

Hemolymph poured out of the deep gash. The Soul Master instinctively dropped his Soul orb to hold his wound shut.

"You-..You BITCH!" 

He let go of his face, furious at the attack, hemolymph spewing out of his wound. He manifested two Soul orbs and held them at his sides, about to strike back at Lurien. 

Right at that moment the elevator clunked and yet again arrived at Luriens room.  Two Watcher Knights accompanied by Lucien, stepped off the platform and assumed an offensive stance. "Our Watcher has asked you to leave, if you do not comply we will be forced to take executive action." One of the Watcher Knights growled. 

Lurien heaved a sigh. He truly didn't have any plans if they didn't show up. 

The Soul Master growled before dropping his hands and walked to the empty elevator, "Alright." 

Once he was inside the elevator he turned and made eye contact with Lurien. "In that case I will see you soon, my dear Watcher." A small but sinister smile appeared on his face. 

But Lurien wasn't going to give him what he wanted. 

Resuming his methods, he stared blankly at him. "I will be consulting the King and telling him of your carnage." Calmly, Lurien walked to the door and flicked the switch himself. 

Soul Master glaring at him as he descended. 

Chapter 8: Undrunk tea

Later that day, Lucien had reminded Lurien that he did in fact need to tell the King About Soul Master. 

Lurien didn't want to see the Pale King after his last visit, and he was pretty sure the King didn't want to see him. So he had drawn the conclusion that he was going to write a letter, but he had been putting it off all day. Lucien knew of the incident that had happened at the White Palace, they were understanding of Luriens hesitation.  However the longer he put it off the more potential lives being taken. 

"Please, sir. You need to do this." Lucien stood beside Lurien, who was hunched over his desk, and placed a gentle hand on his back. Lurien stiffened as he felt the touch. But slowly he sat up, grabbed a paper and quill and started to write.

My Dearest, King

No no, that seemed too adoring. 

My faithful, King

No, that's what he called Lurien.

Sighing, Lurien threw his hands on his face and rubbed his eyes through his mask. He seriously didn't want to write this letter. The King probably was still angry at him, maybe he wouldn't even glance at this letter. He wished he hadn't goaded the King, but he seriously didn't like seeing him in such a state. 

Picking up his quill he tried again.

 

My King,

I am writing to inform you of certain iniquitous deeds the Soul Master has committed under the promise of stopping the infection.  I am sure he has taken many innocent bugs' lives in the name of science for his personal gain. 

I urge you to put a stop to this disservice. 

I also apologize for my own past deeds from our prior encounter. 

Your faithful Watcher.

 

He rolled up the letter, tied a murky blue ribbon around it and handed it to Lucien. 

Before they could leave to deliver the letter, Lurien stopped them. "I wish to write another letter before you leave." Lucien stopped walking and nodded, waiting patiently for Lurien to write. 

 

Dearest Monomon,

I would love to catch up over tea with you. I have thought of my previous actions and found that you are right, there is no point in being angry at one another, so I have decided to make amends with Herrah.

Lurien.

 

He again rolled and tied up the letter and handed it to Lucien. "It is addressed to Monomon." Lucien nodded and exited the room, leaving Lurien alone once again.

 

He got up and moved to his painting. His brush had sat in the cup of water for a while now. He quickly took it out and checked to see if the wood was waterlogged. Luckily, he always bought high quality brushes that accounted for artists' forgetfulness.  

He sat down on his stool before dipping his brush back in the grey paint that was waiting for him. He softly stroked the canvas, again noticing the lack of bugs he had to paint. Lurien hoped that once the King announced his plan to stop the infection to the public, everyone would come out of their homes and enjoy the city's comforts once again. 

 

—----

 

Only a day passed before Monomon responded delightfully with her very own enthusiastic letter detailing a time and place for their next catch-up.

But the Pale King still hadn't replied. Maybe he hadn't read it yet. He was the King, he probably had more important things to attend to before reading Luriens letter. But Lurien couldn't help but feel anxious. Did he seriously mess up that bad? 

The King wouldn't ignore his letter…

Right?

Lurien shook his head and re-read Monomons invitation.

 

Dearest Lurien,

I thank you for your willingness to become friends with Herrah.

If you would like to catch up over tea please come to my Archives later next evening, or today at the time you receive this letter.

Monomon.

 

He re-rolled the paper up and set off down his elevator. He didn't want to be left alone with his thoughts any longer. So he set off early, even early for him. 

 

—----

 

It hadn't taken him long to reach the Archives. The kind stag had gladly taken him there and was quite delighted to make conversation. 

Lurien stepped off of the stags back and on to the cobblestone platform. He waved goodbye to the stag and set off towards the Archives. 

 

As he walked he began to come across some strange floating orange specimens. He poked one inquisitively, and it bobbed slightly back before helplessly flapping its tentacles. It was rather small and the moment amused Lurien, but he figured he probably shouldn't tamper with whatever it was. Monomon wouldn't be pleased if he messed up one of her experiments again. 

He eventually made it to the large entrance of the archives, Monomons mask being engraved into the archway made it hard to miss. 

 

Students were in the general area, talking and laughing. Some were even sitting on the fresh grass enjoying cups of tea. 

Lurien loved this place for its charming atmosphere. It was an experience he wished he wouldn't have given up for his position. 

Lurien sighed as he walked through the halls, silently envying the chattering students.

 

He came to a room he was very familiar with. A small metallic sign was embedded into the door, it read ‘Head teacher Monomon’. He knocked and almost immediately it burst open. Knocking Lurien over.

"Lurien! Oh how I've missed you! I wished we would've made plans sooner!" Monomon poked her head out. 

She held one tentacle to her mouth and held back a giggle. Lurien had been thrown to the floor from the motion and looked rather flustered. "Glad to see you too, Monomon." Lurien got up and dusted himself off, fussing with his cloak. Monomon couldn't help but laugh as Lurien tried to collect himself.

"I can't believe a door knocked you over, I thought it would take more than that." She slyly added, welcoming Lurien in with a small gesture to her office. "Umm well yes." He kept fiddling with his cloak, embarrassed at Monomons statement. "I am quite small in stature." He tried to seem dignified as he walked into the room, holding his hands too neatly in front of him. She laughed again "I'm so sorry my friend, you don’t have to be so embarrassed." 

She shut the door behind her as Lurien entered. But Lurien wasn't focusing on her any more, he was looking at the other person in the room. Splayed very unseemly on a chair was none other than Herrah the beast. 

He knew in his letter he had mentioned that he wanted to make amends with Herrah, but he more ment it in a 'maybe later' sort of way.

Lurien clenched his fist, trying to curb his rising anger. "Hello Herrah, I hadn't expected you to join us today." He politely smiled, trying his best to not yell at her for embarrassing him. "Yeah, well you said you wanted to speak to me so you shouldn't be surprised." She rolled her many eyes and adjusted herself into a more appropriate sitting position. Now Lurien could see just how much she had grown due to her carrying a child. 

Wait.

Wasn't she a spider?

Didn't spiders lay eggs?

"OI! Watcher! Jeez you seriously have a staring problem don't you." She clapped two of her hands in front of his face. Lurien cleared his throat, "I'm sorry, but don't you lay eggs?" 

She abruptly stopped "wow that was out of context." She coughed and looked down "Oh! No yeah, not with the damn Wyrm apparently." She laughed and patted her belly "I could theoretically have a live birth though, I do have all the parts." She leaned back and stretched again, adjusting her sitting position to be more relaxed, leaning back.  

Monomon was also quite invested. Naturally curious being, well, her.

"So what is your egg sack for? Silk perhaps?" Monomon inquired while searching for a notebook and pen around her desk. Lurien sighed and folded his arms "That's where she keeps her sarcasm." Herrah let out a loud HA "your one to talk." She sneered, clearly pleased that she managed to rile Lurien up. 

Monomon half fell back to where Herrah and Lurien were, notebook and pen in hand. "Butttttttt anyway, enough about me, what do you want?" Monomon sighed and slowly trudged back over to her desk and put the notebook down. 

Lurien looked around the room and pulled over a dusty chair next to the door. He sat and crossed his legs over one another, "If I were to want anything from you I would ask you to leave, but with the miscommunication I believe Monomon won't let me." He re-folded his arms and glared at Herrah. 

Monomon stepped behind her desk and sat in her slightly fancier principal's chair. "You stated in your letter that you wanted to make amends with Herrah, so that's what we're doing." Lurien glared back at Monomon. 

Fine, he'd play her game. 

"So Lurien," Monomon prompted "Why do you dislike Herrah so?" She leaned back in her chair and folded two of her tentacles before placing them on her lap. Lurien sat up straighter and continued to glare at Herrah "She has embarrassed me, spoke out of line in the King's presence and broke the King's trust by gossiping about her dalliance with him! And that's only since we became the Dreamers." He leaned forward and glared deeper, trying to intimidate Herrah.

Herrah had so much sass in the way she sat, you could see she had cocked an eyebrow beneath her mask "You do realize over half of those things were about the Pale King right?" She folded her arms and returned Luriens glare. 

"Herrah we’re not here to antagonize anyone, apologize." Monomon said in her 'teacher voice'. "Haha fine, I'm sorry for embarrassing you Lurien, you know I don't actually mean any ill intent." She stopped glaring and gave a hearty chuckle "You're just fun to mess with!" Lurien stopped glaring and sat back in his chair.

Was he that irritable?

Herrah gave another laugh at his reaction. 

"That's still not very nice though Herrah." Monomon stared at Herrah, making her stop laughing. "But seriously Lurien, half those things were about the King." Monomon cheekily said, turning her body back around to Lurien and folded two of her tentacles under her chin like a gossiping teenager.

Herrah gave a snort "Yeah it's as if you don't actually care about defending your honour, just his." Monomon nodded vigorously then gasped. "Ohhhh what if this is your way of showing love!" She then covered her mouth with one of her tentacles and faced Herrah. They both shared a devious chuckle before Lurien spoke. "He is our King, of course I would defend his honour. And I do feel love and adoration for him, just as any other citizen would." He sat up in his chair confidently. 

Herrah and Monomon shared the same thought. 

"You know your fucking stupid right?" Herrah said, pointing to Lurien. He gasped and grumbled "I am not stupid! What have I said to prompt you to say that?" Lurien looked hurt. 

Monomon watched with great curiosity. She was a scientist, researcher, scholar and a teacher. She knew that if any time was the right one for an experiment it was now. 

"I honestly think that the King's plan to have us as the so-called 'Dreamers' is pretty outlandish, he's not even putting any effort into the kingdom." Monomon crossed her arms and glared at Lurien, who of course, took the bait. 

"I WILL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT THE KING HAS BEEN WORKING HIS ASS OFF TO HOLD DOWN THIS INFECTION!" He stood up and started angrily pointing at Monomon. "And if you can't see how brilliant and talented he is then I can't see how fit you are to be in the position you are in!" He threw his hands down to his sides, eagerly waiting for Monomons reaction.

Herrah laughed so hard she thought she was going to go into labor early. Monomon also gave quite the laughing fit. 

Through tears Herrah choked out "Come on Lurien! That was so obviously a set up! This is why you're fun to mess with." She took a few breaths and composed herself before straightening herself in her chair.

Luriens face flushed its signature red and he angrily stomped to his chair. Monomon righted herself too before profusely apologizing. "I'm just defending his honour as any other citizen would!" He stiffly held his arms to his sides, uncomfortable with the situation. Herrah smirked, "yeah yeah sure." She rolled her eyes, seriously how oblivious could he be? 

Monomon sat back down and placed two of her tentacles on her desk "This is fun." She slyly smiled. Lurien, still red, silently screamed. "So is there going to actually be any tea at this little 'tea-party'?" He forced out, between grated teeth. Herrah gave a small laugh "I would say there already has been."

 

Chapter 9: Pleading whispers

The longer Lurien went without a response from the King, the more anxious he felt. 

It had been a few days since his little catch-up with Monomon and Herrah. He hadn't enjoyed the experience, but he would be lying if he said it didn't help his relationship with Herrah. It was nice to hear her apologize, no matter how infuriating she was. However, it didn't help that Monomon had also joined in on Herrahs antics.

He sighed and chuckled. It was nice to know they were starting to become friends. 

 

"Sir! You have a report from one of the City's centuries." Lucien said, jogging toward Lurien holding a neat scroll. Lurien took it and opened it up. "Lucien, this is a few days old, why didn't it arrive on time?" Lucien winced. "It was found on the corpse of the delivery bug, she died from the infection." Lurien bowed his head "That's deeply unfortunate." Lucien nodded and left the room. 

The infection is spreading quicker.  

He would have to make a report on that later, but right now whatever the sentry had reported was much more dire. They usually never make reports unless something really serious happens, and the fact that it's been left for days has probably worsened it.

 

Watcher,

My patrolling guards have been reporting sightings of mysterious creatures. They are very mutilated but don't seem to be ill. We have sighted them on the entrance of the soul sanctum. They are quick to attack but they are not very powerful. Speculations have been suggesting a new variant of the infection.

Head Sentry,

Mell.

 

Lurien re-rolled the scroll and placed it on his desk. He knew that a new variant of infection wasn't out of reach, but the fact that the sightings were so close to the Soul Masters home made him suspicious. He had probably gone through with his crazy plan and hurt a large amount of innocent bugs.

Lurien walked to his elevator. If the King hadn’t said he would do anything about it, Lurien would. 

 

-------

 

The walk through the city had been erased from Luriens mind. He was blinded by his determination and anger.

If the Soul Master really had gone through with his soul transferring plan he could be sentenced to death. Lurien would probably be the one to sentence him as well, unless he somehow had compelling evidence to show he did not commit mass murder. 

 

Lurien had begun to notice certain changes as he approached the soul sanctum. The air seemed almost as if it was filled with faint whispers and cries. Lurien shivered, the pleas making him uneasy. 

The feeling just got stronger once he reached the entrance. 

Usually the elegant door was guarded by a soldier from the sanctum, but strangely no one appeared to be standing watch.

He walked in, undeterred.

 

GALRRaggalalarrr 

Lurien jumped at the sudden noise. 

He sharply turned, his guard raised, and saw a grey blob slithering towards him. Reaching out with its stubby, misshapen hands grasping for dear life. Lurien immediately summoned two thin nails and quickly pinned the thing down. Not being able to move it wildly thrashing around, whispering something. Lurien bent down and shuffled closer, trying to hear its plea.

"Itsssssssaaaa…aaggrllrrrrrr….mistakeeeeee." It strained out, tears pouring from its warped eyes. 

Lurien held a hand to his mouth, he felt sick. This definitely used to be a bug. He looked away from it before quickly dismembering it, swiftly cutting through the mistake . His nails faded away, leaving a puddle of grey ooze. 

 

Lurien was now more furious than ever, he marched on through the sanctum and tried to ignore the whispers that attempted to invade his mind. 

More 'mistakes' had shown up but Lurien mercifully put them out of their misery. Slowly feeling more fatigued with his overuse of soul.

 

With the rate he was walking at, it didn't take long to reach the Soul Masters work room. Again, no one was there to guard the entrance. Lurien pushed on the heavy door, feeling weak, and stumbled into the room.

 

"Hello, my faithful Watcher." 

The Pale King stood in the middle of the room, facing a very uncomfortable looking Soul Master. "I was just telling the Soul Master of your report, and I do believe there was concern to be had." The King looked back to the Soul Master, who was sweating profusely. 

"I don't see why our dear Lurien would have such a problem with my studies." The Soul Master choked out "I have done no field research or any experiments that would put even the weakest bug in harm's way." He cleared his throat and gave a nervous smile.

Lurien walked further into the room and stood beside the King, who didn't even give as much as a glance in his direction. Steely eyes trained solely on Soul Master

"I am sure, but due to there being several concerning complaints against you, I will be personally searching the Soul Sanctum." With that the King turned and walked to the door, his regal gown flowing behind him. "You both are welcome to follow me, Luriens witness may suit well if we are forced to hold a trial." He turned back around and continued walking. 

Lurien and the Soul Master followed him, but not before the Soul Master shot Lurien a dirty look. Although Lurien found he had to hold back a laugh. A large scar was now very visible underneath his left eye, only made clearer with his glare. 

 

—----

 

The three of them walked through the Soul Sanctum, and to Luriens displeasure, found nothing of note. 

Unusually, the Soul Master was pleasantly quiet. But in context Lurien figured that it wasn't a good thing.

He looked over at Soul Master who, although having no evidence against him, was profusely sweating. "As you can see Lurien was just overreacting, another one of his mistakes if you ask me." The King, without looking back at the two, stated "I trust My Watchers judgement, but you do seem to be rather innocent at this point in time."

The King stopped walking and turned to face the two. "I have quite enjoyed my little tour of this place. If you would lead me to the room where your experiments take place then that will conclude my investigation." The Soul Master did an overzealous bow. "Gladly My Lord." With that The Soul Master led the two down into a long corridor.

 

Lurien marveled. The Soul Masters trial room was a massive space with a glass floor and high ceilings, although the glass was hideously dirty. 

"As you can see, there have been no malicious experiments conducted here." The Soul Master presented. Slightly shoving Lurien. Surprisingly the King looked very disinterested. "Yes of course, well if you could show me the way out I will take my leave." The Soul master chuckled "Of course my Liege. Right this way." 

He started to walk toward the door they had come through, but the King stopped him, gracefully holding up one of his hands. "I would like to exit through there." He pointed to the back wall.

The Soul Master stopped walking and slowly turned back towards the King and Lurien. His face was blank, his whole body had stopped moving and his pupils were dilated. "Oh…ye-...Ahhumm…yes! That's a wonderful idea!" He clapped his hand together and slowly walked toward the back wall. 

 

Lurien wouldn't have noticed the door, nestled between the smooth tile, unless it had been pointed out to him prior this visit. He doubted many of the Soul Masters staff would know about this either with how unused it looked.  

The Soul Master opened the door and led the two down a long flight of stairs. The Pale King simply followed. 

Once they reached the bottom of the stairs the Soul Master discreetly sighed.

The three of them were cramped in a small dark room, the only light shining from a long archway off to a side.

"The exit is just through this passageway, I would be happy to show you out-" the Pale King once again held up one of his hands. "So you're telling me I've seen everything the sanctum has to offer?" The Soul Master nodded vigorously "Why would I keep anything from you?" He asked, his voice cracking.

"I don't know why you have." With that the pale king pressed on the smooth wall behind him and walked through. Before Lurien could follow, the Soul Master barged in front trying to reach the Pale King. "I- I really don't know what you're talking about!" His last few words dissolved into an awkward laugh. 

 

Lurien stepped through the door. 

Upon seeing the room he gasped and covered his mouth under his mask with both hands, desperately trying to keep it closed.

The room was covered wall to wall in corpses. 

Shriveled bodies. 

The Soul Master had also stopped, and was looking at the ground. The Pale King wordlessly looked at him "I trust my Watchers judgement. You're a terrible liar."

The Soul Master lunged at the Pale King. Soul snapping and fizzing around him. Two large white nails swiftly pinned him to the ground, far too quickly for Lurien to see.

"While I can't prove you did this according to the rules of our court system, you still have attempted to attack me. Usually that would be punishable by death." The Soul Master thrashed around in his restraints, not being able to focus enough to materialize a solid attack. "However, I believe your sudden absence and the publication of your carnage, will cause more trouble than it’s worth." He looked down at the Soul Master and glared.

"You will be stripped of your assets, staff and will no longer be able to practice soul. One of my guards will be here to see fit." The King then released his nails, but the Soul Master did not make any move to attack. "And all of your accumulated wealth will be put into these bug's family's bank accounts." with that the King left.

Lurien almost forgot to leave himself, still horrified by the hundreds of corpses lining the walls. "  My Watcher, are you not leaving?" The Pale King asked, waiting by the door. Lurien slowly backed away "y-..yes..I am." 

 

Once they were both outside of the Soul Sanctum, the Pale King looked over Lurien. Usually such a simple action would have had Lurien feeling all scrambled inside, but he couldn't stop thinking about those innocent bugs. "My dear Watcher, will you be able to go home after seeing such a travesty?" Lurien slowly nodded. "Uhh yes..yes." 

He hadn't looked up or faced the Pale King after they had left, greatly concerning the Wyrm. The King gently grabbed the bottom of Luriens mask and tilted his head to face him. "Lurien, are you alright?" The King said, worry present on his face, but nothing could break Lurien out of his trance.

 

Despite Lurien having said he could get home fine, the Pale King walked him to the entrance of the Spire. "Do write to me when you want to catch up, I quite enjoyed the tea you left me." Lurien snapped his head around to meet the Pale Kings, but he didn't say anything, he simply couldn't. 

The King walked away, his gentle footsteps echoing around the empty streets as he travelled back to the White Palace.

 

Notes:

sorry I haven't updated in a week.
I've been very sick (Lol the radiance finally got to me) and I haven't been able to write with the non-stop headache I have.
But I am on the tail end of all of that so you can expect a few more updates soon!
Btw if the chapter seemed kinda low-quality its cuz of that.

Chapter 10: Assuaged guilt

Notes:

TW; mentions of suicide
For any one who doesn't want to read the chapter but still wants to know what happened ill put a summary at the end.

Lurien jolted up. 

His bed sheets were on the floor and he had broken into a cold sweat. His short fur was standing on end. He stumbled out of bed then rushed to his telescope. Peering through it he saw nothing but the faint lights of the City. 

It’s night.

He sighed, calming his breathing, and slowly walked over to his canvas. 

The uncompleted painting was lingering there, looking rather lonely. He sat down on his stool and smoothed the fine fur on his arms. He took another deep breath and rubbed his face, happily massaging it without having to go through his mask. 

Lurien picked up his paintbrush and dipped it in a half dried misty blue before swiping it gently across the canvas. It was a peaceful activity, letting his mind wander. 

How had he even gotten to bed? He couldn't remember anything after he arrived at the Spire. Lurien shivered. Yesterday's events were starting to fade, as if his brain was trying to forget the horrible thing he saw. One thing in his mind remained prevalent though.

"Do write to me when you want to catch up, I quite enjoyed the tea you left me."
The King himself, asked for his presence. 

The King actually wanted to be around Lurien?? Lurien didn't mess up as bad as he thought! 

He smiled dorkily to himself. 
He couldn't wait to talk with his Liege again. 

Lurien had talked non-business with the Pale King before, it wasn't a common occurrence though. 

He often found himself completely enraptured in whatever the King was rambling about when he did visit. How the King sipped his tea so delicately, how he always sat with one leg crossed over another and how his full attention was on Lurien alone. As if Lurien was so important to have tea with a God. The feeling was almost addicting. 

He smiled and put his paintbrush down. Standing up he stretched, better to go to bed now with happy thoughts then go to bed later when those memories return.

-------

"So, why have you decided to visit all of these places so suddenly?" The stag inquired. Lurien held onto the stags saddle, these rides were never not bumpy. "I simply wish to see more of Hallownest." Lurien replied as a rather big jolt had him gripping the seat tighter. 

"That's all well and good, but I didn't take you for the kind to pray to the dead." The stag didn't look at Lurien as he spoke, focused on not tripping over the rare stone or pebble in the ever stretching tunnel. "I am not going to pray, I simply want to see the area." 

Lurien wasn't the type to talk to the bugs whose souls had been lost to time, he simply wasn't that spiritual. He did, however, feel an almost duty filled sense to see some of the bug's graves in the resting grounds. 

He wouldn't want to admit it, but seeing all of those corpses made him feel guilty. As if he could've done something to stop a tyrant such as Soul Master. 

Maybe seeing some of their graves would make him feel at ease again. 

-------

Lurien waved goodbye to the friendly stag and walked out of the stagway. A certain calm filled him as he walked through the tiled room. 

He could hear whispers, almost like the voices at the soul sanctum, but they were calmer. As if they had found their peace.

"Ah! Who’s there?" 

Lurien jumped. The sudden voice echoed from the very tops of the resting grounds. "I am just a visitor." Lurien replied, craning his head. 

A small purple moth peaked out from one of the ledges and hurried down to meet him. "Oh yes! Hello hello. Who are you here to see?" She stopped in front of Lurien and smiled. 

She had an aged face and faded wings. Lurien didn't know a lot about moths, but he did know their colours tended to fade with age. The elderly moth must have been such a bright purple in her youth. 
Unfortunately, many of Hallownests moths had died suddenly over the last few years. No one could ever figure out why. This poor moth would have to be one of the few left. 

Lurien responded with a smile of his own and shook his head "I just wish to see the graveyard for myself." The purple moth nodded and started to wobble away. "Sure, the graves are to the right. However many of the newer ones we have positioned on the left. With so many deaths we've needed the extra space." She gave a strange chuckle and wandered off completely, leaving Lurien alone with the vague directions.

He started his venture to the graves on the left. Better to cut to the chase and face his guilt head on. 

Lurien trailed his fingers along the fine walls. The tile had been carved into intricate patterns, all seeming to depict death in different ways. 

"Hello, how may I help you." A gruff and monotone voice brought Lurien out of his admiration. He looked over and saw a brilliant crimson moth cleaning one of the grander tombstones. 

"I just wish to absorb the beauty of the resting grounds." Lurien stated. The moth nodded and went back to cleaning the grave. 

It caught Luriens attention now that he wasn't staring at the walls. The tombstone was much larger than any other and had two grand horns jutting out from the sides. 

"If I may ask, who carved this stone?" Lurien inquired approaching the moth. The moth, without even looking up at Lurien, replied. "I did." 

Lurien nodded and walked to the front of the stone. On it it read 'Cursed are those who turn against the King.' Lurien hummed. "Who did this grave belong to?" The red moth quickly turned his head away from Lurien, but Lurien could still see him wiping at his eyes. "Another soul taken by the infection." He went back to cleaning the headstone with the cloth he was holding. 

Lurien gasped, how could he be so blind? "Was this the assassin who attempted to kill the King?" The red moth stood up swiftly "Yes! But the infection made him do it! He wouldn't have done something so ridiculous as that in a million years if he was just in his right mind." The moth sniffed and knelt down by the grave, pressing his forehead to it. 
Lurien frowned, he hadn't thought about the assassin's life. Even when he first heard the news he just felt anger at the thought of someone killing the King. 

"Were you close?" Lurien asked stepping back from the moth, it probably wasn't the best idea to crowd him if he was upset. The moth chuckled and sighed "He was my fiancé, and my mentor." He looked up at Lurien. "He taught me the way around a nail, but some pesky bugs come down here every so often and vandalize his grave. Say that such a treacherous person doesn't deserve to be remembered." He wiped his eyes once again and stood up "But as a gravekeeper it's my job to make sure none of the graves are tarnished." 

He walked to another one of the graves and started to wipe it down. Lurien gazed at the grand stone. 

"I'm so sorry for your loss." Lurien didn't know what else to say. The moth waved his hand through the air dismissively, trying and failing to hide his grief. "It's about time I started to move on anyway, go for a wander of my own I think." 

Lurien had heard of bugs who had said the exact same thing before going to join the colosseum of fools or jump off the crown of Hallownest. The quickest way out of any pain was very commonly viewed as ending one's suffering once and for all, but even in death they would suffer. 

"Do be safe, I've heard of many bugs who have died at the hands of unruly criminals while they are exploring." Lurien cautioned, he didn't think he could talk the sorrowful moth out of his depressive state. "I'll be fine. Like I said, I know my way around a nail."

-------

Notes:

Lurien fangirls over thoughts about the king then goes and visits the resting grounds to put himself at ease. Markoth grieves over Xero.

Chapter 11: Cursed Blessing

“You do have such a great taste for these kinds of things, Lurien.” The Pale King mused, swirling his tea around in his cup and took another sip. Lurien giggled, feeling his face grow slightly warmer under his mask. “It's the same type I left you on your desk that day.” The Pale King nodded and re-crossed his legs, his gown delicately shifting with his movements. 

“I'm grateful that you have forgiven my insolence.” Lurien spoke. He was very eager to show that he was sorry, he didn't think that he could take the King disliking him in any way. “I appreciate your apology, but I do admit, it's what I needed to hear.” Lurien smiled.

So he had been able to help him after all. 

“You have a fine guard. You hand picked them yourself, yes?” The Pale King asked, trying to prompt conversation. Lurien nodded and sipped from his own cup. “I did have a few applicants. Those nailmasters seemed very eager to become part of my staff, but they were much too young for such a thing.” The King gently placed his cup down on Luriens desk and stood from his chair. Lurien quickly followed suit. "You know you should give them a visit, they've all grown into fine fighters." The Pale King walked towards the Spires elevator, Lurien quickly standing up and hurrying after him. 

------

The Pale King and Lurien walked through the City of Tears. Their footsteps fell in unison with each other making an echoing click each time they took a step on the smooth cobbled pathway. 

"I'm sorry to ask my Lord, but where are we going?" Lurien asked. The Pale King wasn't too fond of pointless walking, Lurien knew that from their previous excursions. 

Lurien had actually tried to invite the King on a leisurely walk through the Queens gardens, but he was quickly and disdainfully turned down much to his disappointment. 

The King scrunched his face "Unfortunately I do have some business we need to attend to, I am truly sorry. I know how much you enjoy our little get-togethers." 

Lurien let out an awkward laugh "It's ok. The bugs of Hallownest come first, above our own wants and needs." The Pale King shot Lurien a quick and harsh look but immediately softened, with almost regret, and turned away. "I'm so sorry, my King. I didn't mean to upset you." Lurien reached out to put a comforting hand on the King's shoulder, but pulled it back at the last second, not wanting to potentially upset him further. "No, I'm sorry Lurien. I was taking my own frustration out on you." He turned his head forward and stared out into the distance. 

Lurien looked at the ground. The King wasn't usually this forgiving or vulnerable around him. Maybe he trusted Lurien more than Lurien thought. 

 

Maybe he does want to be more emotionally raw with me. 

Maybe he does love talking to me.

Maybe he wants to connect even more .

 

Lurien almost let out a giddy giggle, but held it back seeing how distant the King still was. Quickly composing himself, Lurien cleared his throat. 

"If I may, might I ask what's frustrating you?" The King turned to face Lurien again, with an expression Lurien would almost describe as pained if he didn't know better. The Pale king opened his mouth, only just a bit, as if he was going to say something, but closed it abruptly and turned back around. 

"It's alright if you don't want to talk abo-" Lurien was quickly cut off. "I wish to put an end to constant reports of potential life-blood trafficking." Lurien nodded his head. "Who is being suspected of harboring the life-blood?" The King scowled and spat out "Joni.". Lurien nodded again "And I suspect you'll need me for the prosecution?" Lurien queried. The Pale King nodded, giving Lurien a quick smile.

 

Lurien had many occupations. He was a court judge, The Watcher, The Mayor of the City of Tears, an Artist and , occasionally, an Executor. Needless to say he did not enjoy killing bugs or sentencing them to their deaths, he was one of the best in the business so his presence was often required in serious legal matters. 

 

"Oh! That reminds me my King, I've had a few reports on the speculation of masses of life-blood near the very bottom of Hallownest, beneath the City. I think it's worth a search." The Pale King raised his brow "In the royal waterways? That place is home to many foul creatures. Any life-seeds down there would have been eaten." Lurien shook his head "No, no. An illusive place, beneath the waterways." 

The King stopped walking and stiffened, any emotion he wore drained from his face,

They stood for a few seconds, the King not moving an inch. "My Ki-'' as soon as Lurien spoke, the King let out a hollow, polite laugh. "Don't be absurd Lurien, there's nothing beneath the waterways." 

The King hurriedly kept walking. Lurien ,struggling to keep up, urged "But my King, these reports have pretty damning evidence behind them. I think it would be worthwhile if we-’’ “Lurien, I will not tolerate any more of this mindless nonsense. These bugs who are making these reports are wasting your time with their conspiracy theories. I did not expect you to fall for one of their tricks, maybe I've been over estimating you." 

Lurien vigorously shook his head and stammered "N-no!!!! Of course you haven't!! I just- I th- I-I." Years of speech training failing him, he stopped talking and hung his head. Nearly crying at the thought of how foolish he must look from the King's perspective. 

"It's ok, My dear watcher. I know how you like to give every bug in the City a fair voice, and that's why you're good at your job." Luriens head tilted up, his heart warmed at the sight of his beautiful King smiling at him. "W-why thankyou, my Leigh." The King turned from facing him and slowed his pace. Lurien blushed slightly, finally thankful for his mask.

-------

"Joni, we can see from our records that you're still harboring and trafficking life-blood, and from what we can see you're not exactly stopping it." Lurien stated, looming over the scared child. "I-I'm sorry, b-but they keep coming to me. I think they like me." Joni shivered on the bench she was sitting on. 

Lurien sighed and crossed his arms, the Pale King staying silent and still. 

Lurien took another step towards Joni and knelt down in front of her. Now that Lurien was eye-level with the poor girl he could see how terrified she truly was, and who could really blame her. The King of Hallownest and ruler of the City of Tears had come alone to interrogate this child about a matter she apparently couldn't control. 

 

Of course she's scared.

 

Lurien lowered his voice and made eye contact with Joni. "Look, I know you're just a kid, and it looks like you have no control over this, but we need you to stop." Joni stilled a little bit and placed her shaking hands at her sides. "I'm really sorry, I truly am, but I can't stop it. I don't want to. I love them and they love me." 

Lurien sighed and stood up, glancing at the pale king to see his verdict. The King hummed "So how many warnings have the City guards given you?" He asked. Joni stuttered "f-fi-ve" her eyes welled with tears, it was such a terribly sad sight. 

The King hummed again and turned around, hand on chin. "Alright, I see that capital punishment is a suitable consequence."

"WHAT?" Lurien and Joni said in unison. Joni burst out into tears and shrunk into herself, trying to hide from the world. 

Lurien winced, and walked over to the King. "Don't you think that's a bit extreme? You didn't even give Soul Master such harsh treatment." The King waved Lurien away. "If Joni likes taking the lives of other bugs so very much, I don't see how it's not fit to take hers." 

Lurien knew using life-blood was a taboo, everyone knew, but as far as Lurien knew Joni rarely drank life-blood, if at all, she saw them more as 'friends' than anything. 

"My King, I don't think Joni actually drinks the Life-seeds." Lurien stated. The King quickly turned around and glared at Lurien. "I saw many dull life-seed corpses lining the entrance hall to this death-haunted place while you were being distracted by your thoughts." He snapped.

With that he stormed up to Joni and picked her up by her antennae, making her cry out in pain. "Just how many life-seeds do you drink every day?" His tone was low enough to be intimidating, but loud enough to still project authority. 

It made Lurien feel a little light headed.

"I-I don't know!" Tears kept streaming out of her eyes. The Pale King stared into her soul. 

"Don't lie." 

Joni sniffed "7. M-maybe more." Satisfied, the King let go and waltzed back over to Lurien. 

Lurien was astonished. "But I thought you treated them like family." He said, his tone steadily rising with his surprise. 

"I do, I do! But they ask me to! Because they love me, they want me to live! They don't understand how my life isn't as fragile as theirs!" Joni continued sobbing. 

The Pale King faced Lurien "On her file you can add that she was suffering from symptoms of Psychosis. Particularly hallucinations." Lurien slowly nodded, anger rising in him. 

As if the King could sense his change in mood he patted him on the back "Are you alright Watcher?" Lurien gritted his teeth. "Let's leave. We can see the murder in court in a few days."

Chapter 12: Caring Father

Lurien grumbled and threw his rug over his head, his open windows letting a cool breeze in. 

"Sir, you have to wake up." Lucien urged, standing beside Luriens bed.  Lurien responded with a groan and sat upright. "Why must I wake up so early?" He complained. "Uhhh Sir, it's midday.".

Lucien took a steaming cup of tea from his bedside and gently  handed it to him. Lurien gratefully took it, savoring each sip. 

Lurien heaved a loud, comfortable, sigh and stood up from his bed. "Thankyou Lucien, might I ask what needs to be done today?" Lurien grabbed his mask off of his bedside table and slid it onto his face. Lucien was already in his closet, fetching one of his long cloaks. "Apart from generally watching over the City, not too much. You have been requested to go to the Colosseum and collect their tax. They haven't payed in months and it's their fourth offence." 

Lucien neatly folded the cloak in their arms and briskly walked back over to Lurien who was staring out the window, finishing his tea. Lurien grabbed the cloak from them and slid it over his head. 

He really liked his cloaks. He felt they added an aura of mystery to his look. 

"Alright. Well I'll go do that." He grumbled "Why couldn't the City guards have done it themselves?" Lurien walked out of his bedchamber the thick wall of Curtain, separating his room from the Watchers' spire, swaying behind him as he left, and sat at his desk. 

He picked up a few letters and started to pick through them while Lucien spoke. "They've been rather violent and unfriendly to the guards' authority. I suppose they're reasoning was that if someone with more power than them went and talked to the Colosseum’s staff they would listen." 

Lurien threw his head back and let out a sarcastic HA! "So they didn't like their authority, so send someone in with more authority?" He laughed to himself and Lucien sighed. "Yes, but the request has still been made. You have to go." Lurien stood up and walked towards the elevator. "Yes, I know. In that case I'll be back in a few hours." Lucien nodded "see you soon Sir.". 

Lurien flicked the elevators switch and slowly descended Into the Spire.

—----

Lurien walked through the entrance of the Colosseum. A ghostly golden light emanated from the ominous hallway, illuminated by the echoes of cruel laughter. The smooth tiled floor was painted in orange and red, making Lurien feel disgusted.

The Colosseum of Fools has always been a frequent conversation topic for him and the Pale King. The King often shared his disdain for the place, and Lurien has always agreed. 

“It's a place where desperate bugs go to die right after getting any geo they had sucked right out of them.” 

The King's first thought was to get rid of this wretched place, but with further expection, he and Lurien learned that this place did actually benefit the citizens of Hallownest. Ever since this place opened, many often juvenile and petty crimes, that would usually absorb Luriens time, had stopped. So instead the King decided to control the age of people that could compete and view, define that winners couldn't be killed for the crowds amusement, collect a sizable tax and make sure the competitors were well cared for. 

Another amazingly intelligent decision the King made. 

In the main entrance of the Colosseum, there were three sticks with different writing engraved on a plaque that was attached to each of them and a trapdoor with a ladder leading to the resting area for the competitors. 

Lurien groaned at the thought of having to talk to people, and descended the ladder. missing his warm bed already. 

 

The resting area was filled with your stereotypical ruff and tumble bugs all holding various sharp and jagged weapons laughing and chattering loudly amongst themselves. 

Lurien walked through the crowd, dodging and weaving the various sweaty bodies. 

The King of the Colosseum sat upon his high throne in the middle of the arena, intensely watching all the matches that took place. At the end of matches he would drop into the resting area and congratulate any victors that remained. Luriens plan was to wait until the match was over on the viewing platform just to the right of the room, but making it through these bugs made it seem impossible to even get there. 

Luckily for him, none of these bugs seemed to care for status, just brute strength, so he wasn't bothered or harassed whenever he came here. 

After a while of not being able to make it through the thick crowd, Lurien gave up and lent on the wall near the ladder. He strained to listen to the fight above him and tried to guess when it would be over, but you can't really tell progress from blood curdling screams. 

"Haha! yes! finally!" A high pitched voice squealed from the roof. A small ant climbed down the ladder and bounced with excitement. She wore a helmet that was far too big for her head and looked around wildly. Lurien sighed.

There's no feasible way she's old enough to be here .

He tapped her shoulder and she immediately snapped her head around to face his. Her intensity almost frightened him. 

"You do know that you're not old enough to be here." Lurien stated, crouching down to be eye level with this child. 

She shook her head and deepened her voice, speaking louder. "I am! Look at my large helmet! Only an adult's head could wear this!" Lurien winced, the fact that she was practically shouting in his ear just made Lurien want to be-rid of this child quicker.  

"Just stop pretending. I'm not going to get you in trouble, just tell me who let you participate and leave." She sighed and hung her head. "There was this fancy old lady selling tickets for real cheap! Some teens had bought some too! I actually think they're competing right now."

 Lurien shot up. "Ok we need to leave." He pushed her up the ladder and closed the trap door behind himself. 

"I need to use your ticket." Lurien said, holding his hand out to the little ant. "What? No! I spent ages saving up for this!" She protested. "This isn't a time for jokes, I need your ticket!!" Lurien half growled. Seeing how desperate Lurien was, she reluctantly handed over her ticket. "Fine, but you better pay me back mister." Lurien snatched it off her and ran down the long hall, racing towards the arena. 

Lurien ran faster than he ever had before. 

Huffing, he shoved his ticket into the gatekeeper's chest. The gatekeeper, looking astounded at how rude Lurien had just been, opened the gate that had been restricting access to the arena.

Seeing who was fighting Luriens blood ran cold. 

"Oh dear." 

Lurien rushed into the fight, quickly drawing thin blades of soul. The crowd cheered wildly at the new fighter joining the battle. 

The three young nail masters were fighting for their lives, barely blocking the chaotic strikes the other competitors threw at them. One Nailmaster, Oro, Lurien remembered, was laughing heartily at the violence around him while the other two stood their ground defensively. It was clear Oro talked them into it. 

Lurien rushed forward, avoiding as many blows as he possibly could and hoping that he wouldn't have to pierce shell. 

RAARGHHH!!!!!  

A fool rushed towards Lurien, a large spiked nail drawn, and drove their weapon through the air, aiming for Lurien. Lurien quickly sent one of his own nails through the leg of the poor fool and jumped over their falling body. 

Panting quite heavily, he reached the nailmasters. "YOU THREE ARE COMING WITH ME!" he yelled over the roaring crowd, still exited from his miraculous escape. 

The three teenagers stopped dead in their tracks, clearly recognizing the authoritative voice of Lurien. In fact, all the fools stopped fighting and were now looking at Lurien. Even the one he had stabbed sat up, captivated by his presence. Lurien motioned to the three nailmasters and they immediately rushed after him as he exited the arena.

—----

“Just what do you think you three were doing?” Lurien interrogated, sounding like an angry mother. “I don't know...we were just bored.” Oro said, hanging his head in shame while the other two, Mato and Sheo, stayed stubbornly silent. “Bored? You were just bored?” Lurien let out an angry, sarcastic laugh “You decided to kill bugs because you were bored?”. 

Lurien paced between the three of them. The haunting echoes of the colosseum laughed behind them. 

The air was colder outside, but nothing would cool Luriens red hot temper. 

“We didn't want to kill anybody! I don't even think we did! We just wanted to actually use the skills we’ve learnt.” Oro trailed off near the end of his sentence, realizing the gravity of actually murdering a fellow bug. 

Luriens death glare dared him to say another word, but he stayed silent, he had already said enough. 

“To think you three wanted to become part of my guard.” Lurien angrily crossed his arms. “Where is Sly? Does he know of your irresponsibility?” Oro opened his mouth, about to preach more of his defense, but he knew it would fall on deaf ears, so he stayed silent. 

Seeing how impatient Lurien was getting, Sheo spoke up. “No. He doesn't know we're out here.” Lurien heaved a sigh. “Does he even know you're not at home?” Sheo and Mato winced. Oro spoke up again, anger and venom in his tone, “I had a fight with him. We left before we made up, but he hasn't come looking for us so I don't think he cares.” He wiped a tear from his face. Mato hurried over to him “Don't say such silly things! You know he was just giving you some room to cool down.”. 

“Neither less, you're going to need to return home.” Lurien rubbed his face, trying to calm this growing headache. “And I'll be accompanying you.”.

—----

The walk back to their shop in Dirtmouth was a good half hour trek from the Colosseum. 

Lurien had known Sly for a good while, Lurien usually buying his tea and wine from his shop, but the three young nail masters were never present when he went to visit. 

"Hello Lurien! To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Sly said, the jingle of the bell hanging just above the door giving its faint welcome as Lurien entered. "Unfortunately this visit isn't a pleasure-able one." 

He fully stepped inside the well maintained shop and the three teens followed him. 

"Hi dad." Sheo and Mato said in unison, Oro staying silent in his fury. "Hello you three. Where have you been?" Sly welcomed, emerging from his place behind the counter. 

"They were at the Colosseum of fools." Lurien grumbled. Sly gasped "What were you doing in a place like that? I hope the doorman didn't let you in." Sly stated, concern creeping onto his face. "Actually dad, we...were……competing." Sheo admitted, whispering his last words. "WHAT?" Sly furiously yelled. 

 

Lurien had actually stepped out of the shop. 

It had been half an hour and they were still going at it. Lurien sighed, it is what the teenagers needed to hear. 

Abruptly, the yelling stopped. Sly was still talking but it was a kinder, gentler tone. Lurien took this as the green card to re-enter. 

"I do love and care for you oh so very much." Sly said, hugging Oro tight. "Thanks dad." Oro cried, weeping into his adoptive fathers shoulder. "But your still grounded. Now go to your room." Oro nodded and exited the main area of the shop through a small door behind the counter. 

"Sorry about that Lurien, it's hard to discipline three rowdy teens." Lurien gave an awkward laugh "It's alright, I do understand how it's necessary." Sly went behind the counter and pulled out a bottle of opaque red liquid. 

"Thanks for bringing them back to me. They've all gained far too much confidence now that I've been able to dub them Nailmasters. Here's a gift in thanks." Luriens eyes widened at the bottle. "Sly, this wine is very expensive, don't feel obliged to give it to me." Sly chuckled. "Really, Lurien. Thank You. Those three are a very large part of my world. I don't know where I'd be if I lost them." Lurien nodded and gratefully took the bottle, stashing it in his cloak. 

The pair chatted for an hour before Lurien waved his goodbye and headed to the nearest stag station. 

Letting his thoughts wander he sighed in annoyance.

I forgot to collect the tax.

—---

Chapter 13: Unwanted Asset

Notes:

I re-wrote the first half of this chapter cuz it felt a little clunky to read, but it should flow smother now!

Lurien crossed his arms, squished in his seat, and grumbled to himself. Monomon buzzed with excitement, happily giggling to herself next to him.

It was just this morning when he was contently painting, mixing bright oranges into the dried faded blues, that he was rudely interrupted by an euphoric Monomon crashing into his room to tell him Herrah had birthed her child.

Now he was expected to go to Deepnest. The creepiest place in all of Hallownest. 

Hardly any of the King's influences reached its dark catacombs. The spider's that lived there went far enough to sabotage and kill anyone who attempted to build the new tram the Pale King ordered to be put in half a year ago. Forcing the King to stop building the infrastructure. 

Lurien seriously hated that place. 

The stag ran along the long tunnel, accidentally giving Lurien a jolt as it ran over a rare pebble in the endless road.

"Aren't you just so excited?" Monomon exclaimed. "No, not really." Lurien grumbled. Monomon glared at him, her face contorting into a mix of disappointment and surprise. "Why not? I thought you two were becoming friends.". Lurien rolled his eyes and grunted under his breath. "We're not friends yet." Monomon huffed and folded two of her tentacles. "Must I reiterate? We are in this together. We must support each other. Besides, this is a pretty big occasion." she illuminated her point by turning her head away from Lurien, trying to make him feel guilty. Lurien sighed. "I suppose so.". He sunk deeper into his seat, Monomons actions taking effect. 

The stag reached Deepnest in no time. It was to be expected, but not too many people came to Deepnest frequently enough for the stag to get there without skipping a beat.

As Lurien and Monomon departed, they waved to the stag politely and it thundered off. 

Lurien shivered, hearing the scuttling noises of the spider's domain as they exited the station, instinctively shrinking into himself, but Monomon wasn't deterred. Staring ahead with excitement and joy. 

Not comforted by Monomons determination, Lurien quickened his pace. 

Although Herrahs chambers were not too far from the stag station, it still took a little walking to get there, making the trip unpleasant to say the least.  

Lurien could feel countless eyes on him as he shuffled along. While the spider's that were working didn't stop to gawk at him, they definitely stole glances, only making Lurien feel more uneasy. 

He walked along the web-coated floor leading up to Herrahs den, shaking off any strings of silk that fell on him. 

A Weaver stood watch at the entrance. "Hello Teacher and Watcher." It greeted, their thick accent lacing its words. "I'm assuming you're here to see the Princess.". Monomon squealed and clapped two of her tentacles together. "Oh, it's a girl! Deepnest will keep its line of Queens strong!" The weaver nodded, a strange smile on their face. "Queen Herrah is waiting for your arrival. She's in the second passageway to the left.".

Monomon briskly walked down the hall, Lurien struggling to keep up with her pace.

The walls in Herrahs den were all made up of silk. Weavers silk. It was a massively sought after item, but was rarely deported from Deepnest due to the spider's hostility. In all honesty, it made Lurien feel as if it was worthless in its masses.

Monomon brushed aside the stringy curtain separating Herrahs room from the rest of her den, and swiftly entered. 

Crowding around Herrahs bed was The White Lady, who was cradling the child, and Vespa, the Queen of the Hive. 

Lurien hadn't really known Vespa. The Hive barely had any of the Pale Kings influence, making it an area Lurien didn't have to watch over.

"Why hello Lurien, Monomon." The White Lady welcomed, stopping her conversation with the two other Queens. "Hello my Lady." Monomon greeted. "It's good to see the new Princess is healthy.". The White Lady nodded, still holding the child close, as if it would dissolve if she let go. 

Lurien walked over to take a look at the child swaddled in soft spider silk. She had two curved horns like her mother, and a pale shell like her father. 

Lurien stepped back, astounded at the resemblance. 

So this is the child of the Pale King.

Monomon clapped her hands excitedly again, breaking Lurien out of his thoughts. "Have you decided on a name for her?". Vespa nodded "Her name shall be Hornet. One of the strongest in the Hymenoptera family.”

"If you don't mind me asking, why has Vespa named her? Shouldn't she have a weaver's name?" Lurien questioned. Herrah sat up in her nest and crossed her arms. "It's great that Deepnest will have a new Queen, but I never wished for that child." The White Lady and Vespa nodded. "As to not burden Herrah, we have arranged that all three of us will care for the child." The White Lady smiled, lovingly looking down at Hornet. 

Just at that moment, the curtain opened again. The Pale King walked into the room, blankly staring. "Hello everyone." he stated. 

"What do you want?" Herrah groaned, clearly displeased at the King's presence. "I wish to see my Child." He said simply.

He walked into the room and stood next to the White lady, who held the child further away from him. Closely following behind was the small vessel. It looked around at its new environment, naturally curious. 

Herrah sighed. “Are you planning to even be in this child's life?” she interrogated, her tone laced with venom. She tiredly pressed one of her hands to her forehead, as if the King being in the same room as her gave her a headache. "Of course." The Pale King replied, nodding his head delicately. 

As they continued discussing, or arguing, Hornet, the small vessel walked up to The White Lady. She looked down at it. Her harsh gaze turned from the Pale King to the vessel, immediately softening. 

It craned its head, trying to look at Hornet. The White Lady gently lowered her arms to the vessel's head height. It stared at Hornet, completely enraptured with the child. It started to reach out one hand, but was quickly slapped down by the Pale King. 

"I am so sorry for its rudeness, I'm still teaching it proper etiquette." He apologized to the Queens in the room. 

The White Lady huffed. "They shouldn’t know any better, and do call that child by their proper pronouns." She scolded. The Pale King turned his head slowly and glared at her. "I am. Don't say such things around the vessel." She scoffed and let out a sarcastic giggle. It almost made Lurien feel like he needed to leave the room. "I'm surprised you would even want to see this child. After-" "Thank You very much, but I do want to see my Child. It would be a shame to not nurture her." He abruptly stated.  

She laughed even louder. "After everything, you would like to see a child actually grow up, wouldn't you?" The Pale King stiffened, choking on any other words he had to give. 

Lurien leaned over to Monomon and whispered in her ear, or as far as he could reach "Do you know what they're arguing about?". Monomon shook her head. "No, but I do believe there is some underlying tension." She whispered back. "Oh do you really think so?" Lurien said under his breath, earning a slight shove from Monomon. 

“While you're here ‘My King’, could you please stop trying to patrol the entrance to my Hive? I assure you we are no threat to any of your citizens. We do not even mind them coming to tour the area and learn of our culture.” The King snapped out of his trance and nodded his head “I will see that your Hive will no longer be guarded.” Vespa heaved a relief filled sigh. 

The Pale King turned to Herrah and bowed his head respectfully. “I thank you for letting me visit my child. I do hope I am able to see her in the future.” With that he left, almost jogging out the door. 

Lurien saw that he had left the vessel behind with the White lady, who was affectionately petting its head.

He would never be that forgetful with the vessel.

Lurien started to half walk out the door, the Queens behind him too busy talking with Monomon to notice his departure. 

He stumbled out of the room, the curtain almost getting caught on his face, and started to walk down the twisting hallway. 

“My Lord?” he called, to no avail. He kept walking down the hallway, peeking his head into every room looking for the King.

He wouldn't have left Deepnest without the vessel.

A quiet voice called out from further down the hallway. Lurien immediately rushed after it. To his relief, it was the Pale King. 

For a split second Lurien thought he could see him hunched over and covering his ears, but as he reached the King he was standing up straight, admiring the architecture of a metal weaver symbol embedded into the wall. 

“Hello my dear Watcher.” the Pale King greeted, not even giving Lurien as much as a glance. 

Lurien furrowed his brow “My King, it may be unnecessary to ask, but are you feeling alright?” The Pale King sighed and turned his head to face Lurien. “Must we go over this again? You worry too much Watcher.” 

Lurien took another step closer to the king and gently laid a hand on his slim shoulder. “I understand how much stress you must be under, and it's ok to feel-” He was abruptly cut off by the Pale King pushing his hand off his shoulder and walking away. “Lurien, stop concerning yourself with me.” 

Lurien walked after him, having to quicken his pace to keep up with the King. “Please, I want to make sure you aren't feeling terrible. The Infection isn't your fault.” The Pale King kept walking. “I am aware Watcher, and I am working towards treating the pandemic.” Lurien sighed “Alright. I am open to discuss any issues you-” “Yes, yes thank you Watcher, But i do not require your help.” The King snapped. 

Lurien stopped walking and sighed. 

He messed up again.

—----

Chapter 14: Forgotten remorse

Lurien sipped his morning cup of tea. Sighing contently as it warmed his body from the inside out. His legs lay strewn across his ruffled bed sheets, thoughts flooding his drowsy mind. He groaned as memories from the previous day ruined his comfy mood. 

“Yes, yes thank you Watcher, But I do not require your help.”

For how much longer would Lurien continue to annoy him? To be a thorn in his side.

Lucien pushed back the thick curtains, entered his chambers, holding a freshly washed cloak, and handed it to him.

Oh yes, when exactly was the last time I did laundry?

“Thank you.” he said, placing his cup onto his nightstand, grabbing the cloak from Lucien and slipping it over his head. “Might I ask what I have to do today?” he asked while smoothing out the ruffles and creases as the cloak settled on his body. “I’ve received some rather unfortunate news regarding Tallia.” they bowed their head. “Her mother recently passed away, due to the infection, you might want to check in on her.” Lurien nodded his head and walked out of his chambers, adjusting his mask on his face. “I’ll make sure to talk to her. That reminds me, I need to make a report on how quickly the infection is spreading. To do so I'm going to need to take a short trip into the City.” Lucien walked after him and began organizing some scrolls on his messy desk. “While you're out you might want to buy Tallia a gift, to console her.”  Lurien nodded his head “Thank you for your insight, that seems like a very wise thing to do.”

The ground floor of his Spire had an intentionally minimalist design. A few chairs scattered around the small room for any bugs who had to wait for a meeting or appointment with The Watcher. The secretary's desk sat solely stationed next to the tall door. 

A small ladybug sat hunched over the wooden surface, many piles of paper crowding her desk. Lurien slowly walked towards the counter. "Tallia? Are you faring well?" Lurien said, trying to make his tone as soothing as possible. It wouldn't help her if she thought she was in trouble with her boss. 

Tallia immediately sprung up, accidentally banging her legs against the hardwood desk. "Uh, yes my Watcher. Just doing my paperwork as usual." She replied, wincing in pain. 

She scrambled to pull any random paper in front of her. She hastily grabbed a quill and started to jot down signatures and words onto the documents. "Tallia, there's no need for such secrecy, I can tell you're not ok." Lurien said, sliding the paper away from her and re-placing it into a pile. 

Tallia gave a defeated sigh and looked at him. Her eyes had bags big enough to rival Luriens, and her usually very pristine shell was tarnished. "I'm sorry, I haven't been myself lately." She said before holding her face in her hands, too ashamed to continue looking Lurien in the eye. Lurien reached over and patted her on her back softly. 

He wasn't the best at comforting bugs, but Wyrm knows he had done it a lot in his lifetime. Dealing with families whose relatives had been murdered or were going to be executed came with the trade, but he could never get used to the death surrounding his work. 

"Why don't you take the rest of the week off of work?" He offered. "I'll have Lucien deal with the last of these papers while you grieve." She nodded her head, very clearly trying to hold back the endless tears. "Thank You. I-I think I have to leave now." She excused herself, standing up from her chair and briskly walking out the door, not wanting to cry in front of Lurien. 

At that moment the elevator shuttered to life in the doorway, chains slowly moving to reveal Lucien. "Ah, Lucien. Perfect timing." Lurien welcomed, tidying the various scrolls and papers. "How was she?" Lucien asked, gracefully walking towards the desk. "I gave her the rest of the week off. Unfortunately she won't be able to finish her work, do you mind doing it for her?" Lurien queried, stepping back from the desk. Lucien nodded their head and sat behind the desk, picking up the discarded quill and reading over a scroll. 

-------

The further Lurien made his way into the city the more concerned he became. 

The first thing he noticed when he stepped outside was that the air was thick and sour, assaulting his senses.

The second thing he noticed was small orange globs around door handles and park benches. Even groups of bugs he saw often had a looming orange fog around them. He even saw a bug sneeze a spray of orange onto another bug's carapace as he failed to cover his mouth. 

Gross.  

Needless to say, the infection had scaled up quite drastically from his last outing to the City. The sight made him want to sit in his Spire and never come out. 

Lurien sighed and made a mental note of every little fleck of the sickness he saw. He was definitely going to have to make a long report on this.

The familiar pitter patter of the rain refused to change, bringing Lurien a sense of comfort as he saw his citizens gradually succumbing to the infection. 

He glanced at a few shops signs as he made his way through the City, looking for a gift for Tallia. 

In all honesty he didn't really know what to get her. She wasn't that close to everyone else in the Spire. While the Watcher Knights were like family to each other, Lucien and Lurien, she often distanced herself from the group. Lurien understood how she felt as he wasn't a huge fan of social interaction either. If he didn't sleep in the Spire he probably wouldn't be as close to his staff.

A sign for a jewelry store swiftly grabbed his attention, breaking him out of his thoughts. Jewelry was always a  good gift to get people when you didn't know what to buy. Usually Luriens go-to present was a bottle of wine, but he didn't want to accidentally give Tallia an unhealthy coping mechanism in her grief. 

He entered the store, a sweet jingle playing as he opened the, appropriately intricate, door. A hunched over worker snapped his head up at the sudden noise, but went back to polishing whatever he was holding when he saw Lurien. 

It was a beautiful shop. Cases of necklaces, broaches, bracelets and so much more lining the walls of the store. Colours of many rare metals and crystals asking Lurien to take a closer look at them.

He approached the desk, the bug's head turning back up to face him. "Hello my Watcher, what can I do for you today?" He politely greeted, placing the piece of jewelry he was holding on the counter. "I am looking to buy a gift for someone in mourning." Lurien stated. The clerk started to list off many pieces customary for funerals, but Luriens mind wandered towards the broach on the counter. It had an immense amount of detail, swirls and spikes depicting delicate flowers and leaves all leading up to a brilliant obsidian in the middle. 

"How much for this broach?" Lurien cut off the clerk, motioning toward the piece. The clerk grabbed the broach and held it up so Lurien could get a better look at it. "This is my latest piece, I finished it just today actually." He placed it into Luriens hands. "I'll sell it for 2500 geo." Lurien hummed, displeased. "A bit expensive, I see." The clerk nodded his head. "It's one of my finest pieces." Lurien hummed again. "I'll buy it for 2100 geo." He bartered, ruffling around in his cloak and placing the geo on the counter. The clerk shook his head. "How about 2300?" Lurien nodded his head and slid the extra 200 geo onto the counter. 

He probably could have argued the price down further, but he had the money. Besides, he himself hadn't come from a brilliantly wealthy family, he knew how much this meant to them and how little it did to him. 

He waved a quick goodbye to the store owner, broach in hand, and set off back to his Spire. 

-------

By the time Lurien had arrived back at the Spire, Lucien had finished most of Tallias paperwork and was now replying to some of the Watchers' many letters. Lurien handed Lucien the broach and they promptly packaged it up into a small box before putting it in a basket filled with closed letters labelled 'delivery'. 

He spent the rest of his day at the top of his Spire making and filling his report on the infection, making sure to not skip over anything he saw. 

 

"Sir, it's been 5 hours. You need to have a break." Lucien's caring tone derailing Luriens train of thought. Lurien hummed and stretched out so far he almost fell off of his chair. 

"How much work do I still need to complete?" Lurien asked, relaxing his body and flopping back onto his chair. "None yet, as far as your concerned." Lucien said gathering the few incomplete papers and tucking them away in a drawer. Lurien sighed and stood up, not appreciating Lucien lying to him but understanding why they would need to. "I guess it would probably be the best if I took a break." He said, walking toward one of his large windows and staring out of it. 

"How have my knights been doing?" He asked Lucien. "They're all the same as usual. I haven't been informed of any fatalities in any of their families, so I assume they're all doing well." Lurien absent-mindedly nodded his head. "I might actually pay them a visit." He decided, pulling his gaze from the blue city that stretched below and walking toward the elevator. 

-------

The Watcher Knights quarters were often filled with boisterous yells and hearty laughs, but they seemed to be particularly loud tonight. 

Lurien stepped off the elevator and into the common area. Despite the noise no one was present. Confused, he walked through the room and to the door leading to the Knights bedrooms. 

They slept in bunk beds, besides a few of the higher ranking knights getting their own rooms. Lurien designed their quarters this way to hopefully encourage positive relationships between the Knights, and fortunately it seemed to have worked. 

As soon as Lurien opened the wide door the loud noise flooded into the rest of the Spire. Looking around the room, he saw why they were all shouting. 

Many blanket-forts had been constructed in between the bunks, the knights throwing pillows at the opposing side. 

If someone were to walk down the center of the room they would surely be knocked to the ground at the sheer amount of pillows being ditched around the room. Considering his Knights strength, those pillows could probably hurt a bug if they were to be hit by one. 

As soon as one of his knights noticed him they tapped their team mate on the shoulder to stop throwing pillows, and he tapped the bug next to them on the shoulder. Soon the entire room was hushed and all the ammunition had stopped being fired. 

"Hello Master Lurien." Sanan greeted. Lurien stayed silent, neutral gaze falling on his Knights. "We didn't mean to disturb you." He added apologetically when Lurien didn't respond. Lurien silently walked through the middle of the now clear room, and stood at the very end. "No aiming for the head, once you have been hit you are to stop throwing pillows. The winning side gets time and a half wages for a week." He announced. The Knights blinked in disbelief, then cheered. 

It wasn't long before the game started to get heated. Some of the Knights being dramatic enough to fake their deaths when they got hit. Lurien found himself forgetting about the previous day and about the paperwork he still had to complete. He just found himself in the moment, lost in the lively chaos, laughing and smiling with his found family.

Chapter 15: Benefiting despair

The courtroom had a certain cold air that made Lurien feel uneasy. It made the wood of the bench have a chilling feel that stayed in Lurien fingertips for days each time he attended a court session.  

Joni sat silently in the dock as Lurien jotted down the last few details of the case, his quill scratching the paper. The Pale King sat just beside Lurien.

It was very informal for a court case, but in the end it wasn't one. No-one else was present in the court, only the mandatory guards sat protecting the doors just outside the vast room.

Lurien knew that a decision had already been reached, if anything, Joni was only here to sign a confession. The situation felt more like an interrogation. But Lurien still held onto the hope that the Pale King would change his mind and not sentence the poor girl to death. 

“So Joni, how do you plead?" Lurien began, placing his quill beside his paper. “Innocent!!” Joni cried without hesitation, throwing her arms up towards Lurien. “I've already told you I didn't have a choice! Please!!” 

The King sighed and rubbed his face. Sitting up straight, he addressed Joni. “We caught you in the act, child. There's no excuse for why you murdered those creatures.” 

Joni teared up. “What about when you kill bugs? What about when you kill me? Your excuse will be that it was for the greater good, or that it was to protect Hallownest from malicious bugs who creep around with no higher thought!!” she shouted.

The Pale King stiffened, his back going rigid. His expression gradually morphed from shock, to pain, to anger. 

“I wish to hear no more of your malcontent. I have already reached my final verdict.” He almost growled, Slowly standing up, his glare sharp enough to piece the toughest carapace.

“My king, we don't have enough evidence to go through with-” The King snapped his head around to face Lurien, who, upon seeing this, immediately stopped talking. 

“Your execution will be in three hours.” he brashly stated, making his way down to the dock to be face to face with Joni. “I suggest you get whatever non-existence affairs you have in order.” The Pale King placed both his hands on the dock and lent down, making the already frightened girl shrink further into herself. 

“Do you understand me? Or do I have to repeat myself for such a ‘malicious bug with no higher thought’? ” he scornfully added.

Joni Burst into tears and fell to the floor, covering her head with her arms, and let out a gurgled cry. 

The Pale king scoffed and turned away from her, making his way back up onto the bench. Lurien stared at him, mouth agape as he sat down. The Pale King turned to face him, completely calm. “I am going to need you to file her execution along with her ‘confession’.” he stated, gesturing to the small pile of papers in front of Lurien. 

As if he could see Luriens face through his mask, he scowled. “Is there a problem, Watcher?”.

“You just gave a child three hours to live. Can't we issue her a psychiatrist and try to help her? Don't you think you're being a little harsh?” Lurien spluttered out.

The King turned away from him and stared back at Joni, who was inconsolable. 

“My judgement is never flawed. She is a serial-killer, Lurien. Do not defend such a heinous crime. I would assume you of all people would be against mindless murder.” Lurien vigorously nodded his head “O-Of course my King.” The Pale King gave him a small smile “I wouldn't expect anything less from my dear Watcher.”.

The King folded his hands neatly in front of him. “Now, as is customary, I'll need you for the execution.” He stood up, hands still pressed on the bench. "I'll see you in three hours, Lurien." He added before gracefully walking out of the room, hands neatly tucked behind his back.

-------

Those three hours went by in a blur. Lurien had tried his best to comfort Joni, but you can't do much for the bug you're expected to kill. 

After the first hour she went silent, refusing to eat any food Lurien offered her.

After the second hour she began begging Lurien to let her see her beloved life-seeds one more time, Lurien knew he couldn't comply.

The actual execution Lurien almost entirely forgot. It's not that he wished to remember killing a child, but it worried him. Maybe his memory was starting to fade? What he had managed to remember was the flickering of soul, the King's hand on his back and his knees pressed to the ground 

Needless to say, he did carry out Joni's wish. Laying her body on the bench they had previously confronted her at.

Just as he was about to turn away from the child, a few tiny life-seeds scurried around her body. One tried to nudge her hand, only for it to fall limp. As soon as the rest of the life-seeds saw this, they all pressed their heads to her body, as if they were grieving. To Luriens surprise, they ended up picking her body up and carrying it out of the room. He started to follow them, but stopped before he made it out of the space. 

They needed to mourn, as did he.

Maybe not mourn for the child, but for himself. 

For that part in him that died more and more, along with his citizens. 

-------

The elevator clunked, the chains shuttering as they moved, alerting Lurien to look up from his telescope and look at the visitor. 

His eyes widened as he saw a pale light emerge from the depths of his Spire. 

He shot up from his seat and stood in the middle of the room just as the elevator platform reached the floor of his room. "Hello my King." He greeted, bowing politely. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?". 

The King stepped out of the elevator and walked toward Lurien, hands resting in front of his body. 

"Lurien, are you alright?" He asked. Lurien stood up straight and nodded, taken aback by the sudden question. "Of course, why do you ask?".

The King sighed and made his way towards Luriens desk before grabbing a chair and motioning toward Lurien to do the same. Lurien immediately complied, crossing one leg over the other when he sat. 

"I'm worried, about the way you acted yesterday." The King replied, laying his hands on top of one another. Lurien blinked in disbelief. "Whatever do you mean?" He asked. He wouldn't have acted out in any way in the King's presence, he wouldn't forgive himself if he somehow made a fool of himself in front of the King. 

" Lurien, yesterday at the execution. Do you not remember?" The King quizzed, leaving Lurien confused. "I…I actually can't recall." Lurien confessed. The King sighed again, rubbing his face with the heel of his palm. "You fell to the ground and covered your mask with your hands before crying for half an hour, in my arms." The King explained. "And from what Lucien has told me, you didn't get too much sleep either.". 

I did what?

Lurien blushed red in his embarrassment, slowly realizing what he had allegedly done 

"I'm so sorry, my King! I didn't mean to be so informal!" Lurien desperately apologized, bowing his head as he did so. The King light heartedly chuckled and shook his head. "It's alright Lurien, it's an honour to comfort one of my dearest friends." He looked back up to the Pale King, who was giving him a warm smile. Lurien gave a sigh and shuffled his legs slightly. 

"Lurien, I need to know if you're feeling ok. Yesterday was very out of pocket for you." The King placed a warm hand on Luriens shoulder and shuffled his seat closer, trying to look Lurien in his eyes. 

Lurien tilted his head up to meet the Pale King's gaze, shifting his body to face him. "I…I..I'm sorry, I don't know why I forgot." 

The King raised his other hand to the side of Luriens mask and gently tugged it off, revealing Luriens face. The intimate action made Lurien blush a bit. The King placed Luriens mask on his desk before moving his hand back to Luriens cheek. Lurien allowed himself to lean into it slightly, tearing up. 

"It's all going to be alright Lurien. You can tell me what's bothering you." The King said in an attempt to console him. Tears slowly traced wet lines down Luriens face, getting caught in his fine fur.

Despite the fact that he was crying, Luriens voice didn't waver. "I assure you, I am feeling quite fine." He reassured the King.  

The Pale King sighed, retracting his hand from Luriens face "If you say it is as such, I believe you." He said plainly. "But if you do feel as if you need someone to talk to, my door is forever open.". 

The King stood up from his chair, walked towards the elevator, and folded his arms. "I'll see you later, my dearest Watcher.".

The elevator clicked and he descended.

Lurien watched him as he left, before gently brushing over where the Pale King's hand had been with his fingertips. 

He smiled. 

He couldn't deny that in that moment, he felt truly safe. 

Chapter 16: Aloof Denial

Notes:

Tw!! alcohol abuse.
This is a heavy chapter so I will put a summary at the end.
The first chapter re-write is up!

Lurien winced as he walked through the City Of Tears, occasionally stopping himself from falling over by leaning on a lamppost or resting on a bench. “Auggghhhh…Why must I be cursed with such a migraine?” Lucien quickly rushed to his side and held onto his arm, offering any support they had to give. 

“I'm sure Lady Monomon will know what to do sir, but I think we already know what caused it.” Lurien grumbled and stood upright, placing a hand on his forehead. “It was spur of the moment, unlike me.” They continued walking, feet pattering along the cobbled eroded pathways of the city. “Sir with all due respect, you haven't been yourself lately.” Lurien growled and turned away from Lucien. “I've been fine.”

Lucien sighed, happy to finally catch a glimpse of the stag station up ahead. “That was a very unfair thing for the King to ask of you.” They mumbled. Lurien snapped his head around, seeming to glare at his friend. “His judgement is never flawed. He wouldn't have asked me to execute Joni if he knew it would have negative repercussions on my mental wellbeing. I'm fine.”  Lucien sighed, they weren't going to get through to him. 

“Hello My Watcher.” The stag politely greeted, earning a huff from Lurien. “Could you please take us to the Teachers archives.” Lucien apologetically requested. The stag furrowed its brow. “Is he alright?” it whispered to Lucien. Unfortunately, Lurien overheard. “Yes yes, I'm quite fine. I'm sorry to rush you but could we please get going?” he sarcastically stated, folding his arms he huffed in annoyance. The stag rolled its eyes and bent down to let the pair board. 

-------

The thick air of the fog canyon didn't make it any easier for Lurien to think. At times he thought he would fall over from the glaring lights seeming to protrude from the floating ‘experiments’ Monomon had set up. Lurien stumbled his way into the archives, Lucien attempting to help him steady himself. Students walking through the halls often stopped and looked at him, it was rare to see The Watcher in such a disheveled state. Luckily, many just went back to their classes, not wanting to appear rude. 

Lurien practically kicked Monomons door open, scaring the poor teacher, and threw himself across one of her chairs. Lucien gently closed the door and took a seat as well. “Hello. I wasn't expecting you to visit today, not that your presence isn't appreciated.” Monomon placed down the quill she was holding and laid her tentacles on her desk. “Thankyou Lady Monomon. I'm sorry for the sudden intrusion but we need your expertise.” Lucien said, looking over Lurien as a concerned parent would.

Lurien groaned and righted himself in his chair, rubbing his eyes through his mask. “I have the most horrendous migraine, do you have any remedies?” Monomon nodded and opened a draw underneath her desk. She pulled out a small bag, and shook out two pills. “Have some pain relievers.” she offered, handing the pills to Lurien. “Unfortunately I don't have any water-” Lurien lifted his mask and threw the pills in his mouth, swallowing them. “Okayyyyy. Do you have a clue as to what might have caused the headache?” Monomon asked, propping her head up with one of her tentacles and quizzically looking over Lurien. 

Lucien nodded “He drank rather heavi-” “Yes, we know what caused it. Thankyou for the medication.” Lurien brashly stated before standing up from his chair. Monomon quickly ushered for him to sit back down. Lurien groaned and slowly took his seat. 

Monomon had known Lurien for long enough to know how he was acting was a subconscious cry for help. “Lurien, are you alright?” He groaned. “Yes! I'm fine!” he huffed “I really just want to go back to bed.” tears began to well in his eyes. “I want to sleep.” he pleaded, his voice cracking. “My dear friend, I want to help. Please tell me what's the matter, but do understand I'll respect your decision if you don't wish to.”. Lurien nodded his head slowly, shrinking into his chair. “I kil-” not being able to hold it back any longer, tears poured out of his eyes. 

Monomon looked over to Lucien who sighed. “He came home last night almost on a high, although he was in tears.” they began, Monomon nodded, reaching across the room with one of her tentacles for a box of tissues. “He told me that the King showed true concern over how he was feeling.” Lurien gratefully took the box from Monomon and wiped his eyes in a futile attempt to dry the tears that kept falling. “I asked him why he was crying and his face just went…blank. He then said he couldn't exactly remember why he felt so upset, but the more he recounted his conversation with the king the more he realized-” Lurien burst into tears again, knowing what was to come. “-he had just killed a child who could have been saved.” 

Monomon gasped, covering the bottom of her mask with her tentacle. “Was it on his own free will?” she urgently asked. Lucien frantically shook his head “No! By the realm in-between no! He was ordered to execute her.” Monomon hummed “By the King I presume?” Lucien nodded. “He then stopped crying and offered me a glass of wine. I said yes because I believed company is what he needed. I left after that one drink and went to my chambers, but I'm pretty certain Lurien stayed up much later. In the morning I found the wine bottle empty on his desk and his painting smeared with white strokes of paint.” 

Monomon hummed and turned back to face Lurien. He sniffled and looked up at Monomon. “Lurien, do you need me to book you an appointment with the school psychologist?” She placed one of her tentacles on Luriens shoulder. Lurien shook his head and sniffed. “No, it was just an intense reaction. I assure you I will truly be okay in a few days' time.” Monomon sighed. “If you're scared of talking about your troubles with a stranger, I promise that she's a wonderful bug.” Lurien shook his head again. “I think I just had not been getting enough sleep, besides we've all been pretty anxious over this whole ‘Dreamers’ situation.” Monomon nodded her head. “I promised I wouldn't push you to do anything you didn't want to, but I do think it's in your best interest. There's no harm in it and it's only for an hour.” Lurien stood up from his seat and placed the box of tissues on Monomons desk. “I'll think over it.” He promised, wiping the last of his tears from his eyes. 

-------

The next few days were filled with worry.

Lucien had filled the Watcher Knights in with only the necessary information, he didn't want to embarrass Lurien after all, and they understood. “Is he going to be ok?” one of the watcher Knights asked. Lucien nodded their head. “Of course. He's just taking a few days for mental health care.” Another Knight raised his hand, to which Lucien promptly motioned for him to speak. “Can we visit him?” Lucien nodded their head again. “I would actually encourage you to check up on him once and a while, your support would help him greatly, but don't all swamp him at once.”  

After seeing that there were no more questions to answer, Lucien exited the Watcher Knights quarters and ascended up to the Watchers room. 

The Knights began to murmur amongst themselves. “We have to do something for him, he's treated us so kindly during our stay here.” another Knight agreed. “Why don't we get him a gift?” Luma offered, raising her voice so that all the Knights could hear her suggestion. It was met with a chorus of “yes!” and “good idea!”. 

“Hey Yamma! Don't you still have that empty box from when we got those new pillow casings?” A smaller Knight nodded with a grin on his face and rushed into their sleeping room. He came out a second later holding a box the full width of his shell. “Good! Any ideas of what we can fill it with?” Luma inquired. Hands shot up in the crowd to which Luma hummed. “Actually, we should make a list. I'll ask Lucien for a parchment and quill when he comes back through and everyone can write their ideas down. This gives us plenty of time to think of more gifts!”. Sanan emerged from the crowd and walked up to Luma. “To make this idea work we need money, and for someone to head into the City. I'm all for going on a shopping trip but my salary won't cover the amount of gifts we want to get him.” Luma hummed thoughtfully, before grabbing the box and placing it in the center of the room. “Everyone can put some geo in the box. With the amount of us here we shouldn't have to sacrifice too much as individuals.”.

After hearing a few of the Knights gift ideas, they dispersed around the space. Some of the Knights were already placing geo into the smooth box while others placed cards, flowers and books all addressed to their Dear Watcher.

-------

Lurien awoke on his desk, his mask painfully askew on his face. He slowly stretched his arms up in the air and yawned. His eyes widened with surprise as he saw a large box placed on the top of the hard wood surface. Chuckling to himself, he shifted his hands around the edge of the lid and pulled it closer. A small note was attached to a blue ribbon that surrounded the sides of the box. On it it read,

To our Watcher.

For keeping us safe, for providing us with a family and for giving us a chance.

Sincerely,

Your Watcher Knights.

Lurien smiled for the first time in days. 

 

Notes:

Lurien visits Monomon and talks about his trauma. The Watcher Knights make him a gift to help him feel better.

Chapter 17: Admirable companion

“Herrah, I don't have time for this.” Lurien sighed, putting his hand on the edge of the door. “I told you, I wont leave until I've checked up on you.” She tried to take a step inside of the Watchers Spire, but was shut off by Lurien brashly closing the door, almost hitting her as he closed it. “Thankyou for your concern! Byeeeee…” his voice trailed off and he began to walk away.

He huffed, annoyed.

Truly the nerve of some people. She hadn't even been invited in.

Lurien huffed to himself again,shaking his head as he thought. 

“ARE. YOU. ALRIGHT!?” The door flung open as Herrah threw herself in before the door could be closed again. 

Lurien screamed and fell onto the floor, tripping over his own robe. "By Wyrm, yes!!" He exclaimed. Herrah held a claw over her mouth, stifling a laugh. "Just making sure." She said, her tone humorous. 

She offered one of her claws to Lurien, who took it gratefully, and helped him to his feet. 

"I have a task for you today, Lurien." Herrah stated as Lurien dusted himself off. Lurien looked up from his robe and folded his arms. "I thought you were here just to check up on me, and who are you to order me around?". Herrah walked back to the door. "Just the Queen of a nation, but a friend to you."

A friend?

She opened the door and poked her head out of it. "You can come in now, spiderling." Her tone was so gentle, Lurien felt like he had been tricked into thinking this was the Beast of Deepnest and that he was about to be assassinated. 

Herrah stood to one side of the door frame. A small spider trotted into the spire and stood at the base of Luriens legs. 

He looked down at her curiously, she did the same. She then opened her mouth and bit down on Luriens shin. 

"OUCH! GET OFF OF ME!" He shouted. Lurien shook his leg but the tiny spider didn't release her hold. If he wasn't in so much pain he would probably stopped to marvel at the tiny things incredible jaw strength. 

Herrah rushed over, laughing, and grabbed the spider. Luckily, she immediately stopped biting when she felt the hold. 

"What was that?" Lurien exclaimed, finding one of the lobby chairs and taking a seat, examining his poor leg, happy to see it basically uninjured. 

Stifling laughter, Herrah spoke "She hasn't teethed yet, don't worry. But, my apologies, Lurien. This is my daughter Hornet, you do remember her don't you?" Lurien scowled and nodded his head. "Of course, but there's no way I'll forget her now." 

Hornet looked up at her mother. "He tastes funny." She simply stated, earning a snort from Herrah. "Yes he does." She agreed, placing Hornet on the ground. 

At the sight of letting the child free, Lurien shot further into his seat. 

"Sooo, what's this task you have for me?" He hurriedly asked, urging for the pair to leave his home. "I have a meeting with the Pale Shit over my territory." Herrah spat. "He seems to think he's the ruler of my bugs too." Lurien made a disapproving hum when he heard Herrahs 'nickname' for the Pale King. 

"Shouldn't you not swear in front of the child?" Herrah scoffed and pat Hornets head. "Nah, it's fine." She dismissed. "But my point is, I need you to look after Hornet for a few hours until I'm back." Lurien shook his head and stood up, wobbling on his ‘injured’ leg. "I thought she was to be the child of three mothers. Can't the White Lady or Vespa take the responsibility?" Herrah rolled her eyes. "What do you think? I hate to say it but you weren't my first option. Monomon has informed me about your distaste for children." Lurien huffed. "It's not that I don't like them, I just-

"I already told you, I didn't have a choice. Please!!"

I-...I can't let them get in the way of my career." He finished, feeling his legs start to grow weak. 

"Ok, so can you look after Hornet ?" Herrah brashly said, gently pushing Hornet closer to Lurien. 

He looked down at her, she glared back at him. 

"I-..I suppose I can." He said hesitantly. "Thankyou Lurien." Herrah leaned forward to whisper in his ear "I don't want her meeting her father yet." 

-------

"So, child. What is it that you would like to do?" Lurien asked, sitting at his desk. Since Hornet had immediately bitten Lurien, Lucien had gone off to fetch the child a meal, even though they both didn't know what spiderlings ate. 

"You sound funny." She stated, slowly scuttling towards Lurien. He quickly leaned over his desk and grabbed a book, covering his legs as she moved closer. 

She grabbed the book, looked at it, and bit down. As she gnawed the book, Lurien sighed. "No, young Princess, that's not how you use a book. Quite the biter, aren't you?" He gently tugged the book away from her then flipped to a random page and gave it back. 

"Woah! It can open! What do these funny squiggles mean?" She asked while shoving her head into the page. Lurien frowned. "Has your Mother not taught you how to read yet?" She nodded her head. "I can read! I can even write, look!" She made a grabby hand up at Lurien, who sat for a minute, not knowing what to do, before following her gaze up to a quill. He took it off the desk and handed it to her. She immediately started squiggling over the pages of the book, hurting Luriens soul, and ripped the page off to proudly hold it in front of her. 

"See? I can read!" Lurien took the paper and read over what she had written. "Princess, this is Weaverling." He gestured to the paper. He pointed to the book "what I meant was Hallowscript." Her eyes scrunched together, confused. "Hallowscript? What's that?" Lurien picked up the book. "It's the language we speak here in Hallownest, it's where we are currently." Hornet hummed. "Why would I ever need to know it then? I don't live here." She crossed her legs and grabbed her page back from Lurien, looking over it with confusion instead of pride. "If you didn't know it, we couldn't speak right now." Her head shot up. Wide eyed she exclaimed "I'm speaking it right now? So that's why it sounds so different!" Lurien placed the book back on his desk. 

"Do you also know how to speak weaverling?" He inquired. She nodded her head rapidly "I can, I can! But mother said I shouldn't because it offends people when they can't understand you." Lurien scrunched his brow.

Offends people? How absurd.

"Whatever do you mean young Princess. We have many languages here in Hallownest. I know quite a few people who speak Ant." She looked up at him and tilted her head quizzically. "Then why were those bugs so scared when Mother and I were speaking it?" 

Lurien sighed. He honestly expected more from his citizens, but what surprised him was that Herrah, the Beast, told her child to keep quiet. Wouldn't she have stuck it to those rude bugs? Wouldn't she have told Hornet that it's a great skill to speak more than one language? Wouldn't Herrah stand up for her home? Of course she would, that's what she was doing right now, but it just wasn't like her to give up and shrink to a side. 

Lurien wasn't blind, he was aware of the fear toward spiders. In all honesty, he was still quite scared of them himself. But he knew better. He knew that those were just ideals he was raised on and he knew he would overcome them to uphold his values as Mayor of the City. Seeing the harm of it in action though, seeing it take down the most ferocious bug in Hallownest, he was angry. 

"Hornet, don't ever comply with something as silly as that." Hornet giggled. "But mother said not to." Lurien shook his head. "And I'm telling you that it's ok. I rule over those bugs and they can't do that." Hornet giggled louder. "Ok." She agreed. 

The elevator faintly clicked. "Ah, that must be Lucien with lunch." Lurien announced. "yaaaaaa I am so hungry I could die!" Hornet dramatically gasped, falling to the ground and covering her eyes with her claws. 

-------

After Hornet had scarfed down her plate of roasted gruzzer guts, and Lucien had unsuccessfully pestered Lurien to eat something, Lurien figured he wouldn't get any work done with this energetic child around, so he had decided to paint instead. 

"3…2…1. Ok Princess Hornet! I am coming to find you!" Lucien smiled, briskly walking around the room, occasionally checking behind a chair or in a cupboard. Lurien happily sighed and turned back to his painting, fixing up the splotches of white. "Hehehe." A faint giggle sounded beneath Luriens canvas. "Shhhhhh." He hushed gently, tapping Hornet with his foot. Unfortunately Lucien seemed to have heard, hurrying over to where his master was. "Found you!" They said, crouching down to meet her level. Hornet burst out into a fit of laughter and crawled out from under Lurien. 

"Do you wish to play another game, Princess Hornet?" Lucien asked. She stopped laughing and gazed up at Luriens work of art. Pointing up at the canvas, she turned to face Lucien. "What's that?" She asked. Lucien sat on the floor, delicately folding their knees under them. "That's called a painting, and Lurien is the artist." She looked over at the painting with awe before excitedly jumping up and down. "Can I do one!??" She begged. Lucien laughed admirably at the princesses spirit and nodded their head. "Of course!". Lurien looked down at the pair and smiled. 

In all honesty he was expecting this day to be absolutely horrible, but he was pleasantly surprised. 

Lucien rushed out to Luriens room, the curtain swishing with their speed, and came back with a much smaller canvas. 

Hornet jumped up and down excitedly and Lurien placed a brush, a few tubes of paint and a cup of water on the ground for her. She flopped to the floor and grabbed the paintbrush with the same strength she bit Lurien with, waiting in anticipation for Lucien to put the canvas down. As soon as they did she was off like a stag. "Good job Princess!" Lurien commended as paint whirled around on her brush.

-------

"Hello Herrah!" Lurien greeted, opening the door for the Spider Queen. She grumbled a greeting and entered the Spire. "Where's my daughter?" She groaned tiredly. 

"Mother! Mother!" Hornet squealed, racing to Herrah while holding her canvas infront of her face. "Look what I painted!". Herrah looked down at the painting and smiled. "you're such a talented spiderling." She praised. "Thankyou for this favour, Lurien." She said while picking Hornet up. "I really couldn't have done today if you hadn't accepted." 

Lurien frowned at the choice of words. "Is everything alright?" Herrah sighed. "The King and I came to an agreement….Deepnest is officially part of Hallownest." She choked out, hanging her head. "Oh my." Lurien gasped, covering the bottom of his mask with his hand. "Are you no longer Queen?" She shook her head. "I still rule over Deepnest, same as you rule over the City of Tears." Lurien nodded his head, acknowledging the loss of pride she must feel. 

"I'm so sorry." He added. Herrah shook her head. "Don't be, I don't need your pity." While there was no malice in her tone, Lurien still felt hurt, but not for himself. "I figured I need to look to the future. Think of what's going to happen once I'm 'asleep'." Lurien cocked his head. "Won't Hornet be there to take your place?" Herrah sighed and looked at her child. "She will be far too young for such a responsibility, the kingdom will need the support." 

Herrah turned and began to walk out the door. "Thankyou for looking after Hornet." Lurien tapped his foot on the smooth floor, disappointed that his day with Hornet had to end this way. 

"Herrah!" Quickly, she turned around. "What?" Lurien walked to the door, picking up an umbrella from the rack beside it. "Hornet was an absolute delight. Please, bring her around again." He requested, handing the umbrella to Herrah. She took it with one of her free claws and smiled at Lurien. "I will."

Chapter 18: Affirmed faith

"I understand my daughter was recently here?" Lurien nodded. "My deepest apologies, I hadn't realized that you wanted to see her." He bowed his head respectfully to the Pale King. The King gave a small smile and shook his head. "All is forgiven dear Watcher, there is no way you could have known.".

The King began to walk away from Luriens desk and towards the Spires elevator, but Lurien was quick to stop him. "You've travelled so far, it would be a shame for you just to hear no news about your daughter. How about I have Lucien brew us some tea and I can run you through my most recent reports on the city?" The Pale King smiled wider "That sounds lovely Lurien. I have missed our chats." 

"I swear to Wyrm, some of these bugs can be so dull. Just the other day I saw a beetle and a ladybug look directly into my telescope and steal a bag of geo." Lurien chuckled, sipping his tea. The King laughed along. "It's always funny when bugs say that." Lurien gently placed his tea cup on his lap "Whatever do you mean?". The Pale King lifted his cup to his mouth " 'Swear to Wyrm' or 'oh my Wyrm'. Don't get me wrong, the symbol of faith is appreciated but I've never gotten used to people swear to my species name." Lurien chuckled again. "I guess that would be a little odd.".

The Pale King stood from his chair and began walking around Luriens room. "It's been a while since you've shown me your works of art. May I have a look at your most recent pieces?" Lurien hurriedly stood up, spilling his tea in the process. "Oops..Lucien, could you please mop this up? My apologies." Lucien nodded their head over from where they was stationed, making a shoo shoo gesture with their hands, not trying to hide their grin. 

Lurien rushed over to where the pale king was gazing at the filled canvas, overlooking the grand City that lay before them. "This is simply wonderful. How long did it take you to paint?" Lurien looked over at the blue and orange landscape covered with poorly fixed blotches of white. "It's nothing to marvel at, after all it's still a work in process.". Wanting to distract the King from his most resent failure, Lurien led him into his chambers. 

The curtain shifted as the Pale King's slender hand shifted it out of his way. Lurien was standing over the sides of his bed, taking out completed paintings one by one and placing them on top of his sheets. "These are my finest works. Once I 'go to sleep', I'll have them put away into Monomons archive to serve as a primary source as to what effect the infection had on Hallownest." Lurien climbed over his bed and stood next to the Pale King proudly. 

For a long while the King said nothing. He simply stood and admired Luriens artistry. Before long, he turned around, his head sitting next to Luriens. As if he was casting a bewitching spell he whispered. "Burn them." his harsh gaze not wavering.

"WHAT?" Lurien gasped, realizing he had just yelled at the ruler of Hallownest. He held both his hands over his mask as if he were going to vomit. "Excuse you?" The Pale King turned back around and turned his nose up at Lurien. "U-uh, I..um." his voice cracked and trailed off into silence.

"Can you suddenly not speak?" The King spat pushing his face closer to Luriens. Lurien tried to step back, but found himself stopped by his bed end. Leaning backwards he spluttered "I J-just spent a lot of time-" The King thrusted his head forward more, glaring into Luriens very soul. "Your time spent means nothing to the eternity of Hallownest. These paintings will burn along with the memory they carry.". The King had moved forward so much so that Lurien had to prop himself on his elbows just to face the King without completely laying on his mattress.

"M-My Lord, can't we come to an agreement?" Lurien begged, swallowing the uncomfortable lump in his throat. "This is so unlike you My dear Watcher." With a low growl he condescendingly drew out Luriens title, making him feel insecure. "Are you arguing with me because of Joni's trial? Are you still upset?" The King pouted mockingly. Lurien felt his face grow hot and tears well in his eyes. "I expected you to prioritize your job over your emotions." He lent more and more, more so until Lurien was on his back and the King had to prop himself up with his hands.

"You are to burn these." He said, tone not giving away any of his previous exasperation. Lurien shut his eyes, hoping the King couldn't see through his mask. "Yes my lord." His voice trembling through held back tears. The pale king stood up and briskly walked out the room, the curtains swishing with his exit. Lurien stayed paralyzed as the elevator clicked. 

-------

"Sir? Are..are you alright?" 

Lurien was broken out of his daze as he felt a weight dip into his mattress. "Sir, please. I'm worried." Lurien slowly sat up and faced Lucien. "I…I'm feeling tired, Lucien." Lurien stated,  blankly staring off into the distance. "Do as the King says and burn my paintings. I'm going to have an early night." Lurien stood up and walked towards the front of his bed, placing his mask on the nightstand. "What about your current work in progress, sir?" Lucien inquired standing up and walking to close Luriens curtains. He flopped on his bed and closed his eyes. "Do what you will with that one. It's unfinished." 

Lucien sighed and left the room. "I'm sorry the King treated you that way sir." They said as the curtains closed on them. Lurien shot up. "He did what he had to, not what he wanted to!" He called after them.

I'm treated the way any other bug is treated. The infection has shaken us all.

No matter how hard Lurien tried to shake the thought of the King intimidating him into destroying his passion, the memory kept sneaking into his head. 

The feeling of the King above him. Their faces so close. Why, Lurien should feel honored that the King would feel the need to scare him into servitude. It proves what the King has been saying for ever so long. Lurien would forever be his faithful Watcher.

 

Notes:

Not romanticizing!! Luriens just a lil desperate and a tad blind.

Chapter 19: False Hope

Lucien carefully grasped the teapot and brought the spout to Luriens cup, Gently pouring the golden liquid.

 “Your experiments are causing serious injuries, Monomon. I only ask that you contain your research in a more controlled environment.” Monomon nodded her head and shuffled in her seat “I understand and I apologize for my actions. However, I feel as if I'm making a breakthrough in discovering what is causing the spread.” The Watcher gestured for her to continue, although he did not at all believe that the unruly disease had any answers to give. Monomon placed her teacup onto Luriens desk. “The ‘Ooma’, as I'm calling them, have grown much bigger in the past couple of weeks.” she explained, emphasizing her explanation by spreading her arms above her head. “The closer they float towards the heart of Hallownest the stronger the infection becomes causing their bodies to expand.” Lurien nodded, bringing one of his hands up to his chin and resting his head upon it. “That does make sense. That is where the infection is most concentrated. Unfortunately, death rates have been going up. I'm recording about 5 a week.” Monomon groaned. “If only there was a simple answer. I hate to see so many innocent bugs die such a gruesome death.” Lurien chuckled sadly. “If only.” 

Monomon lifted her mask slightly and brought the fragile cup to her lips, taking a generous sip. “I do believe that If I can possibly sedate one of the Oomas, then I may begin a dissection to take a sample of the concentrated infection from its core and take a much closer look at what its chemical makeup is.” Lurien nodded his head and crossed his legs, leaning back in his chair. “That will be very beneficial. However, bugs are getting hurt because they explode Monomon.” Monomon brought one of her tentacles up to the bottom of her mask and thought for a bit. “I am aware of their abilities. In all honesty it's quite fascinating. I'll have to give it more thought.” 

Lurien hummed, “This would be a great opportunity for Quirrel, brainstorm with him about how to capture one of the, ummm Owma?” Monomon laughed “I understand that my first language can be a bit hard to pronounce. Good try though.” Lurien chuckled and took another sip of his tea. 

“By the way, Lurien. Have you been faring any better recently?” Lurien swallowed the last of his tea and placed his cup down on his desk, neatly folding his hands on his lap. “Whatever do you mean by that?” Monomon sighed “Mental health wise. You do seem much happier.” Lurien chuckled and waved his hand through the air dismissively. “Of course! I just needed a little sleep.” Monomon furrowed her brow, doubting him heavily. “Are you sure? Many breakdowns don't go away with a good night's rest.” Lurien nodded his head “Breakdown is a funny word to use, I was just a little stressed. But please, don't spend another second worrying about me. I assure you I am doing quite well.” Monomon stared at him for a minute, as if she was looking for any signs that he was yelling, screaming, praying for help. But after that short minute she was satisfied enough to trust his judgement. “I believe you if you say it is such.” Lurien nodded his head in approval. “Thankyou for caring, my friend.”

-------

The King cradled himself, his breathing getting heavier and shakier. The white walls seemed to close around him, taunting him, as if they knew whose land he had stolen to call his own. It was as if she was in the room, suffocating him, giving him an agonizingly painful end to his suffering.

How pathetic.

 

A small pattering sound echoed behind him. He quickly turned his head around, hands covering his face, a sad attempt at retaining his dignity. “Who dares enter my workroom unannounced!?” He bellowed, standing up as fast as he could. The vessel met his glare, dark hollowed eyes staring into his soul. As if it were a machine it bowed to the king and drew its nail. “We do not have training today. Leave.” The King urged harshly, pointing to the door. 

The vessel shook its head and raised its nail into the air. It struck down harshly into the palace floor, penetrating its hard stone surface. A flash of soul appeared an arms length away from the vessel revealing a small, shiny spike. The vessel gazed at the spike before it returned to the ground, hopping around in a form of excitement. “This is what you interrupted me for? A measly spell that you haven't even perfected!? YOU are meant to carry this entire nation on your back! YOU are meant to be the pinnacle of perfection!” The vessel tilted its head in confusion. Anger rising, the king slowly approached his creation. “You are the reason everything has gone wrong for me. My queen won't look at me, my subjects are dying and I chose the wrong child to achieve an impossible feat.” The King chuckled, pinching the bridge between his eyes. “Get out of my sight, get out of my home. I don't want you here.” The vessel just stood and stared at the King. “Did you not hear me? GET OUT!” He roared. The vessel sprang to life and scampered out of the room, falling over in the process. The Pale King hunched into himself as soon as the vessel left and let out a choked sob, collapsing to the ground. 

-------

Water thudded repeatedly onto the ground, the cities pebbled walkways slowly eroding with time. Dark blue landscapes illuminated the tall, smooth buildings that loomed over the busy metropolis. The Vessel swiftly ran through the crowded, wet city trying to get as far away from the White Palace as its tiny legs could possibly carry. Bugs milled all around it noisily laughing and talking. The patter of the rain grew thunderous and the pebbled road underneath them seemed to grasp its legs and hold them close, causing the tiny bug to fall. The vessel cradled into itself and covered its ears, captured water spilling out of its shell. 

A large shadow approached the vessel, causing it to look up in curiosity. “Hello child, are you lost?” A calm yet strong voice cut through the rain and startled the vessel. It jumped back, overwhelmed by everything around them. “It’s alright! I'm not going to hurt you. Do you know where your parents are?” the large bug crouched down and offered his hand. 

Hesitantly the vessel took the offer and the boisterous bug lifted them to their feet. Unexpectedly he then grabbed the vessels torso and lifted them up onto his shoulders. they panicked and began hitting his shell. “Whoa! If you want me to put you down I can, but I didn't think you'd want to be in that thick crowd.” The vessel stopped smacking his shell and lifted their head, looking over the sea of bugs. 

This felt…better.

They drew their hands close to their body and patted the strangers shell, trying to apologize. The bug chuckled “It's alright, I had no intention of scaring you”. The vessel continued to stare over the crowd in awe. 

“Sanan!! What are you doing?” another, almost identical bug walked through the crowd. “Hello Luma! Were you successful in finding the sequel to that book?” Luma shook her head. “No. As it happens, It hasn't been released yet.” Sanan chuckled warmly. “Five years and counting, what a record.” Luma sighed. 

“But I digress. Why is there a child on your shoulders?” Sanan began to walk through the bustling crowd “They're lost, and they haven't told me who their parents are.” Luma followed him and hummed thoughtfully. “Do you think we could take them back to the spire? We can put in a report to the city guards.” Sanan nodded. ”After all the Spires probably the first or second place a guardian would look for their child.”. 

The vessel began flapping their arms around wildly, alerting the two conversing knights. Sanan tilted his head up as far as he could, trying to see what had gotten the lost vessel so excited “What are you looking at?” The vessel looked down at him then pointed to a colorful fabric shop, flapping their arms around. Luma giggled and motions for Sanan to enter the shop. 

As soon as the trio had approached the stall the vessel grew so excited they jumped off of Sanan and raced to the store, looking at an assortment of fabrics and textures. “”Do you see anything you fancy?” The vessel looked up from the rack of fabric and started into Sanans eyes once again running off to look at a less colorful rack. Sanan slowly followed behind as Luma wandered into the store. 

It reached out to touch a quite smooth, white fabric and almost lost themself in a trance created by the haunting beauty it held. It continued to caress the materials as Sanan dug into the rack and pulled out a thin price tag, grimacing at what he saw. “I'm sorry, but I do not think I can afford this one.” The vessel looked at Sanan then back the white material before trotting over to more of a beige, rougher fabric. Sanan cringed, 

such an expensive taste . 

Looking around he spotted a basket with small pre cut squares, a label showing that they were only 15 geo each. “Hey, take a look and see if you like any of these fabrics.” He called. The vessel immediately walked over and stuck their head into the basket, their horns stopping them from falling in. They rustled around for a bit before pulling out a light blue square. 

“Ohhhhh, what a lovely color!” The vessel nodded and gazed fondly at the material they were holding.  “Pass the square to me and I'll purchase it for you.” Sanan held his hand out and attempted to grasp the fabric, but the vessel sharply tugged it away and held it close to their body. Sanan retracted his hand and sighed. “Okay that is completely fine. How about I give you the money and you can buy it?” The vessel tilted its head and stared at Sanan as he dug into a bag and pulled out three pieces of geo. 

“There you go, little one. Just talk to that nice bug standing behind that counter and ask if you could buy the fabric” He pointed to a rather spectacular butterfly cutting scrap pieces of material at the front of the shop. The vessel looked over to the butterfly then back at Sanan. “Go on. Don't be afraid.” he reassured, gently pushing the vessel towards the counter. They slowly walked towards the butterfly, clutching the fabric and the geo to their chest.

“Hello! Have you found everything alright today?” he asked, placing his scissors down on the bench and leaning over to look at the vessel. They nodded, and held up the fabric for the butterfly to see. “My my! That is exquisite! That one will be 15 geo.” the vessel nodded and placed the three pieces onto the counter still clutching the material in their tiny fingers. The butterfly slid the geo into a draw behind the counter and smiled at the vessel. “Thank You so much! I hope you have a great rest of your day!” 

The vessel nodded slightly, then dashed back to where Sanan was standing beside the basket. He had a massive grin on his face and did a tiny clap for the vessel's efforts. “I hope this makes losing your parents a little less scary, but let's start heading back to the spire. We should probably file a report sooner than later.” Sanan grabbed the vessel's hand, accidentally startling them again. “Let's find Luma then be on our way, shall we?” 

-------

“We should have these visits biweekly! I miss you far too much during the week.” Monomon chuckled “I'll give you a report as soon as i dissect an Ooma. Hopefully there will be good news.” She opened the door to the Spire and waved a friendly goodbye to Lurien. Lurien waved back “Have a safe trip home!” Monomon nodded and closed the door behind her. 

Lurien sighed contentedly, turning to face his secretary. “Has any more deaths from the infection occurred today?” Tallia shook her head happily. “Not one! Maybe the rate of the infection is slowing down.” Lurien poked his head behind the desk and collected a pile of paper in a small tray labelled “in”. “My Watcher, I am so sorry to ask this of you, but could I possibly go home early? I don't feel so well.” The Watcher nodded his head. “Of course. You are such a diligent worker, maybe the stress is getting to your head. Wyrm knows this has been a tough time for us all.” Tallia sighed and hummed in agreement. 

At that moment the door swung open and the two watcher knights entered, the vessel following close behind. “Hello my Watcher.” Sanan greeted “We have found a missing child and would like to put a report in.” Sanan carefully pushed the vessel in front of him. Upon seeing the vessel Lurien sighed. “This is no child. This is an experiment of the Kings. I shall see to it that it gets back to his majesty soon.” Sanan and Luma did a double take, staring at the small vessel in bewilderment. 

The vessel looked up at them and tried to express some sort of happiness. Failing, it sadly looked back to the ground. It knew it wasn't built for emotion. “I am more impressed with the King every day.” Luma added wide eyed “So lifelike.”. Lurien chuckled “It's because it is alive. Leave it with me, I'll take care of it in the time being.” 

Lurien gestured for the vessel to enter the elevator and it automatically complied, clutching the blue fabric to their chest, a storm of frustration brewing in its head. 

Notes:

Btw don't be afraid to comment! I love hearing whatever you guys have to say about the fic or about anything else. I love chatting with my readers! <3