Chapter Text
Phil peered from his throne, legs crossed over one another, and admired the dozens of vampires intermingling with one another below him. Each coven had come up to him by his point, mouths sealed shut as they bowed to him.
No foolish challenges to deem themselves as the most powerful, as they all know the blood that has been scrubbed from the tiles they stand on. That Phil is more than willing to dip his fingers in their chest and watch the wine-red blood pool on the ground.
Like always, Phil was once again the superior.
The chandeliers hanging from the ceiling lit the space in a marigold hue, giving an impression that the pale and ash faces in the crowd were more alive than credited. The gold etched in the pillars and handrails glimmered in the light and all the jewels the patrons wore were lit up like the night sky. Dresses with puffed bottoms and tight tops swept the tiled floor, while the suits and servants clacked with their polished leather shoes.
Phil leaned back in his cushioned throne and flicked his wrist. A servant stepped up, eyes on the ground and back slightly bent, “Yes, Sir?”
“Where is my general?”
“Currently in the gardens tending the flowers, Sir.” The servant remained in his position, the name unknown to Phil. Yet he’s aware that Techno most likely interrogated each one of the helping hands tonight. A good thing, it would be embarrassing if one of the humans fainted once they realized they’d be serving vampires.
“Notify him that his presence is needed.”
“Yes, Sir.” The servant stepped back in the shadows, a whisper traveling from him to the two guards lining behind Phil’s throne. Niki and Puffy, his friends-made-family from decades ago who insist on assisting Phil. Who is he to say no when anytime someone glances up at the raised platform where Phil resides they cower away from the stoic expressions on the ladies' faces.
As Phil waited for his general-turned-son, he scouted for his youngest. As he suspected, Wilbur was surrounded by vampires. A grin spread across his son’s face as his hand whipped up and then left to tell his stories. The cup of red wine sloshed dangerously but never spilled.
Everyone chuckled whenever Wilbur permitted a break in his story, their body shaking from joy or fear, Phil couldn’t tell. Wilbur seemed to not bother to distinguish the emotions either and continued with his story.
The servant stepped up again, bending down to whisper in Phil’s ears, “The general will arrive shortly, Sir.” Phil nodded and the servant returned to his place.
A few minutes later, the swish of a cape paused beside the throne. A shadow fell upon Phil, silent as he awaited why he was called to a social gathering. Phil uncrossed his legs and caught the displeased eyes of his son.
Despite Phil knowing Techno has no care for gatherings such as these, he understands the importance of presentation. A crimson cloak with gold embroidered down the hem, alongside jewelry draping down his neck, wrists, and fingers filled with rare rubies and more gold. His dahlia-colored hair was made into a single braid, most likely courtesy of Niki’s nimble hands.
The presentation of unity was just as great, forcing Techno to not make a dry comment about how he should shoot fireworks into the crowd to stop the party. Instead, Techno helped Phil up to his feet when he raised his arm. Phil looped their arms together and the two proceeded to join the others on the floor.
Just as they were on the last step, Techno ducked down near Phil’s head, “Puffy spotted witches. Rouges. We think Dream sent them.” The two strolled through the parting crowd, a small bubble surrounding them. Wilbur was off in the distance, but getting closer with every step.
Phil hummed and lightly squeezed Techno’s bicep, “I’m aware. We’ll get them by the end of the night, no worries.” Techno glanced once more toward Phil, but Phil kept his eyes forward. A steady gait to showcase his reassurance that everything was under control.
Even though many want his throne, none have taken it so far not only because they are not strong enough, but they don’t have the mental strength to be the pillar of the vampire community. Many must have noticed the faint smell of wither rose, now they watch as Phil decides what to do about the stench of magic in their home.
“Craft.” Sam stepped in front of them, briefly kneeling before rising again for formality's sake only. Ponk stayed a few paces back, blending into the crowd around them.
“Sam, lovely to talk to you on such a young night.” Techno stopped beside Phil but kept a tight hold on Phil’s arm. Phil almost chuckled at the narrowed eyes Techno was throwing at the walls, no doubt annoyed that he was forced to stop for a conversation.
Sam nodded and let a smile slip on his face, replicating Phil’s ease. Sam turned his body toward the throne, sweeping his arm at the grand clam that rested on fluffed pillows a couple of paces to the right of the throne.
“To you too, my friend. Though you are the rightful leader for us and have my undying support, many of us were wondering when the Keeper will join us again?” The crowd didn’t stop in their interactions, but a pause was created. Too many ruby eyes flicked their way to gauge Phil’s face.
Sam stood there with loose shoulders, well aware that he would not get in any trouble. Phil was the one to request he make drama at this event, knowing that this question was burning away at everyone’s still hearts.
Phil turned his body to gaze at the clam as well, where the Keeper was resting inside until his body was ready to protect the forest. He wishes he knew why Theseus needed his rest. He was the man who allowed Phil and his coven to be under the protection of the Keeper, and in turn, allowed Phil to keep away any pests who wished to claim his throne.
"I wonder that too," Phil allowed for a pause, letting people lean in and wait for him, "but the Keeper isn't dead. Theseus is simply resting and he'll join us when he's ready. Until then, the forest and the land are still protected."
Phil kept his gaze on the clam, the thing three feet tall and five feet long. Ridges lined the entire beige surface, and the crack that'll open hopefully soon was sealed with a translucent gel. He knew though that everyone heard him, vampire hearing isn't just to catch the fleeting heartbeat of prey. It's to listen to what's important that makes vampires powerful.
"Of course, no one would dare to attack you and the forest. The Keeper will always return and you will always defend it." A warning from Phil, but a simple reminder from Sam. Quiet and loyal, like Phil expects everyone else will be.
Phil looks back at Sam and nods with a quirk in his mouth, "Of course, no one would dare." With that, Sam gave a small bow and moved back to Ponk. Ponk gave a small bow when catching Phil's eye, before taking Sam's hand and vanishing into the crowd.
Starting their walk once more, Phil directed them toward Wilbur, who was knowingly joking with the witches. His cackles could be heard across the hall, eyes squinted as he scrutinized the pack of witches daring to cross into their home.
Phil will hear them out, hear what Dream is too cowardly to come here and say it himself. Then he'll make Dream understand why he lost the war and was forced to slink into hiding.
However, as the witches caught Phil's steady approach, they didn't scurry off in fear. No, they glanced at one another and stepped closer to form a loose circle around his son. Phil raised his eyebrow and let go of Techno’s arm. Wilbur attempted to sway out of their circle, but they only closed in.
“Phil–” Before Techno could finish, the quieted party spurred into gasps as tree roots shot through the floor and crushed the witches into submissiveness.
Phil snapped his head at his throne, there was only one person who could do such a thing, where the clam lay open and out stepped–
A young boy?
The entire floor was silent, not even a rustle of a blouse could be heard as every vampire watched with wide eyes as the Keeper rose from his slumber. Hair as light as the sun and eyes the color of the morning sky, this was not Theseus.
No, this was a new Keeper and Theseus had died.
Yet the boy saw Phil first and opened his arms wide like Theseus would have, “Zephyrus, my old friend. So much to say, so little time I’m afraid.” The boy stood up on shaky legs, and creating a cane out of a branch, stalked over to Phil.
Theseus or not, Phil rushed to meet the new Keeper and steady him by the shoulders. “Is that you, Theseus? What happened to–”
“I apologize, Zephyrus, but I don’t have time to answer. All you need to know is that this is the last time you’ll meet me. This body that I’m in is the new Keeper. His name is Tommy and–” Theseus clutched his head, a heavy sigh leaving him.
“This rascal, I knew he shouldn’t have woken up so early,” Theseus muttered under his breath. Phil drew Theseus closer in, taken back by the lack of muscle and disproportionate height. A teenager's body with baby fat that is only now starting to wane into adulthood.
“Is everything alright, Theseus?” Techno stepped beside Phil and rested a hand on Theseus’ back.
Theseus chuckled, “Well, minus the teenager that’s currently cursing my entire family line in my head, I suppose yes. I know many have questions, but Tommy will have to be the one to answer them. I’m simply here to introduce you all to Tommy and warn you.”
Phil quirked his head to the side, worry starting to fester in his chest, “Warn us? Who’s in danger?” He tugged Theseus closer to his chest, afraid that he’d lose him again. Which he will, if this is the last time they’ll meet.
Theseus simply laughed, the voice pitched high like a child and not the baritone shakes Phil was familiar too, “ You , my friend. I’ve had to deal with Tommy for nearly half of a century and it has made me grateful to not deal with teenagers on a daily basis while I was protecting this forest. No amount of war could’ve prepared me for the amount of stress Tommy has caused me.”
Phil reeled back a little, confused if this was a joke. He’s being warned about a teenager? Though Theseus is not typically the one to make elaborate jokes, this seems like overkill.
Theseus continued, “Tommy made me wake up because the witches had healing potions and in his words, didn’t think the bald dude could defend himself . I’ve done my part now and I’m quite tired. Zephyrus, I’ll see you in another life.” A blatant lie that neither touched. With that, branches broke out of the floor and carried Theseus to his clam.
Before Theseus could vanish from his life forever, Phil shouted the question that's been on the tip of his tongue ever since Theseus disappeared, "How did you die, friend?"
Theseus's eyes lit up and a grin spread, "Tommy thought I was invincible and used me as a meat shield for a flying arrow aiming for him. Hit me instead, right," he thumped his fist above his heart, "here and after that I don't know what happened. Tell me, do you know how we won the war?"
Phil’s fists clenched as he could only imagine the insolence of this Tommy to use the Keeper as a shield. Then the question registered and Phil nodded, "Of course. You were the one to create the sinkhole and make an enchanted barrier to trap all the witches that fell. We can’t find the barrier anymore, but the witches have died with no food available. Many other events occurred during that time too, but not as impressive as that."
Theseus hummed but didn't offer any comment. His eyebrows furrowed together, eyes looking far away at an object not there. Phil waited for a confirmation that this was the answer his friend wished to hear. Yet he only nodded to himself and continued his trek back to the clam.
Nobody moved as Theseus lowered himself on the plush moss lining of the clam. As the clam shut by itself, Theseus gave a two-finger salute, “Good luck, my friend. You’ll need it with Tommy.”
A single clack and the foggy gel became translucent again.
Seconds passed as they waited. Waited for what specifically, Phil didn’t know. A signal, perhaps, that celebrations can begin with a new era of a Keeper. That has been the tradition for millennia now, but then again, it was tradition to have an alive Keeper immediately after the death of the previous Keeper.
Keepers only rest when they have depleted all their energy to protect. But what could this selfish boy have done to protect them? He killed the Keeper and is now awarded the glory of the title he robbed.
Tommy killed his old friend, a man whom he sought guidance from when caring for his newly turned fledgling and a warrior who fought beside Phil every step of the way to make his throne invincible. Now Phil has to bow down to a teenager and do his bidding.
Phil snorted, shaking his head. What a joke.
“Techno,” his general stepped up and bowed, “lead the witches to the dungeons. Have Niki and Puffy take Wilbur to the nest. Everyone else,” Phil’s robes swept under him as he turned around and gave a wide smile,
“Please welcome your new Keeper, Tommy. Let us not only celebrate the unity of the vampires but of a new era of the forest!”
An era Phil intends to squeeze every answer out of Tommy.
——
From that day on, guards were stationed in the throne room. Typically the throne room was empty until a party showed up, but Phil needed to speak to Tommy as soon as possible.
Techno took watch nearly every single day. The disdained expression on his face when returning from the dungeons was all Phil needed to see to know that he would be on board to interrogate Tommy.
Phil wonders daily what Tommy might act like; egotistical, brash, unaware. Each word brought a bitter taste, knowing he’d never experience Theseus’ easy smile. The certain smile he would give everyone before a battle would start or the slap to the back with a muttered good job.
A good man had died at the hands of a boy, who happened to be at the right place at the right time.
Phil is well aware that the process of choosing a Keeper isn’t based on proximity to where the last Keeper died. It was convoluted with no single trait tying each Keeper with another. Yet they all shared the same goal; protect the forest.
When Phil asked Theseus, back when the two just met each other, even he struggled to answer the questions on why he was chosen. “ The forest has her own tune that she sings and none of us can understand the lyrics. But we still have to dance to it, eh? ” Is how he’ll always respond to questions about the forest. And this was a dance Phil didn’t wish to be in.
The double doors to his office opened with a scurry and in strutted Wilbur. Niki and Ranboo shut the doors and went back to guarding. Wilbur, on the other hand, plopped down on the armchair next to Phil’s desk and sighed.
Phil ignored his son, content with waiting for whatever request he had now. He typed on his computer, the thing much too bulky for the slow speed it was going at. The pixels froze as Phil attempted to write an email to Sam and he was almost tempted to give the large box of technology some good knocks on the side to see if that would kickstart it.
Wilbur sighed, drawn out and eyes staring at the ceiling. He did that twice more, until predictably, his patience snapped.
“Phil,” he drew out the l in his name, “stop ignoring me! Both you and Techno are so hung over this Tommy kid. We all accepted the fact that Theseus will most likely die during the war, why is any of this a surprise to you two?” Wilbur tipped his head back, staring into Phil’s avoiding eyes.
A few moments passed and Phil kept his mouth shut. Wilbur sighed, exasperated, and straightened his posture before leaning his elbows on the desk.
“Come on Dad, I’m the one supposed to hold onto grudges and murder a guy or two in the name of vengeance, not you. None of us even know the full story or the kid. Since really, Theseus died because a kid used him as a meat shield? I’ve heard better stories from Jack.” Phil snorted, not able to keep his lips sealed.
"Jack does tell shit stories," Phil muttered, leaning back into his chair and looking up at Wilbur. His son jazzed his hands and pushed off the desk, using that momentum to stand up. Phil watched him with a tilt to his mouth, wondering what he was up to this time.
“Now that you’re finally not brooding, which by the way I’ll need help to get Techno out of his head too, we have preparations to make! The new era of Keeper, so sensational that we have to have a party! Invite the werewolves, faes, fairies, even a few witches so they all can see that the Syndicate still stands tall with the Keeper.” Wilbur waved his arms around, pacing on the carpet back and forth.
Phil glanced at the computer, the spinning wheel of death taunting him to give it a few good knocks. He pursed his lips and decided to simply write Sam a letter. It’ll be days faster than using this new technology.
Turning off the computer, the blue screen blinking its goodbye, Wilbur’s hands slammed on the table. Phil reached out to stabilize the pencil holder and looked at Wilbur.
“Were you even listening, Phil? Once Tommy wakes up, we’re the first ones to establish a relationship with him. It’ll solidify the Syndicate's position, scare off Dream, and allow us to negotiate terms that before Theseus completely opposed. A party is needed for us to achieve all–”
The doors slammed open, Techno storming in while Puffy stayed at the threshold with thinned lips. Phil stood up almost instantaneously, mouth open to ask a question, but Techno beat him to it.
“Tommy is gone.”