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King Phantom was sitting in his office in the Keep, rereading what would be his first official kingly decree that was going to affect all of the subjects of the infinite realms. Sure Phantom has reread this same scroll at least a hundred times already, but the young halfa wants it to be perfect.
Eventually, after rereading it several more times Phantom signs it off with his ectosignature. Making it official.
“Ancients, I made that way more stressful than it needed to be” he whines. Leaning back in the chair he was sitting in.
Just then a pile of scrolls appears on the desk in front of him. Phantom blinks at the pile baffled.
“I knew I’d end up with sole ownership of a few contracts after this decree, but I wasn’t expecting that many” With a wave of his hand he separates the contracts between living and not.
As Phantom expected, the pile for the non-living is larger. Picking up the first contract on said pile he sees a familiar name, which happens to be Fright Knight’s “Frighty, could you come here?”
“Of course, my liege” Fright Knight’s booming voice bellows, as the ghostly knight kneels next to Phantom’s seat.
“Your soul contract was one of the ones I had majority ownership of, so now with the new decree I solely own it. Since me owning your soul or not changes literally nothing, want me to just void it?” He asks with a slight head tilt, the aurora crown floating above Phantom’s head slightly lagging behind the movement.
“Do as you wish with me, my king” Fright Knight’s simply replies as the knight rises to stand at attention at Phantom’s side.
Phantom sighs pinching the bridge of his nose “Fright Knight, we have talked about this. When I ask you a question I want your opinion. You are your own ghost with likes and dislikes, just because you have sworn to protect the High King of the Infinite Realms doesn’t change that. I know one of your obsessions is serving the High King, but that shouldn’t compromise your individuality” his core hums [worry, understanding, protection]
Fright Knight ducks its head, its core now radiating [apology, understanding, individual] “Of course, I apologize… I would like for you to hold onto my contract for now, my king”
Phantom smiles his core radiating [no-apology, happy, proud] “ok, I can do that”
Phantom goes through the other non-living contracts they now own, Fright Knight returning to its position behind its King. Most of which the young King voids, not needing to own the soul of their subjects “Oh my ancients!” They begin laughing as they read over the next contract “Vlad sold his soul! And I now own it! I’m definitely keeping this contract, and I’m going to rub it in the fruit-loop’s stupid face!” They cackle. Fright Knight just shakes its head fondly at its king’s reactions.
Phantom still giggling finishes going through the pile, and the last contract in it only redoubles the halfa’s laughter. Clockwork appears sitting or floating in one of the chairs Phantom has in his office “I see you have found my contract, amusing” the ghost of time shifts from their oldest to their youngest form.
“S-sorry Clocky, I just wasn’t expecting it” he finally starts to calm down.
“It is quite alright Daniil, it is rather humorous” Clockwork’s form shifts to their adult age “Do not void the restraints of this deal” they state in a tone that was somehow somewhere between lighthearted and warning.
Phantom blinks a few times “uh… oh-kaay?” He looks over the contract to try and see if the details within the scroll hold any hint to what the ancient might be implying. Phantom’s pointed ears perk as he notices a detail “Oh! So the reason you had to obey the Observants was because you had soul contracts with them!”
Clockwork nods contritely “Splitting my soul with so many ghosts was an egregiously frustrating task. Those individuals themselves made the task only more taxing to sustain” they state, before disappearing once more.
This makes Phantom snort “Fair enough” he goes back to the contracts in front of him “ok, now onto the living souls I now own”
Phantom pulls the three scrolls over to him. Opening the first one he chuckles “Nice, so we were right. Pharaoh Duul Aman did trade his soul a few times to gain a reincarnation cycle, and Tucker is his current incarnation” Phantom pauses “Tuck would probably want to see this before I void it. So I guess, onto the next one” he tucks the contract into his pocket space before grabbing the next contract.
Phantom opens it and reads it “Alright. Alfred Pennyworth you traded your soul four times to- oh, well that’s sweet” he smiles ruefully “I’ll honor it, but I should probably edit it” he nods, before humming and summoning a quill to begin editing the contract.
“Alright. The conditions will be protection of those Alfred claims as his own, as long as it does not affect the balance of all things. All parties Alfred included will be considered honorary subjects of the infinite realms, and gain access to a personal summon if my direct aid is needed” Phantom says quietly as he writes. Before he turns back to Fright Knight who stands behind him.
“Frighty, you think this is worded well? And give me opinions” he asks.
Fright Knight sighs “I believe it is adequate for your intended purpose, my king. After all no mortal could harm you, and no being could truly defeat you now” he says proudly
Phantom rolls their eyes fondly “Yeah, yeah. I’ve ascended to my purpose as the ancient of space, I am integral to the existence of space itself” They sign the modified contract with their ectosignature.
Finally, King Phantom picks up the last scroll and opens it, and his good mood sours “How did I have the majority of the Hellblazer’s soul?” He pinched the bridge of his nose again “Great, just great. I own John Constantine’s soul! Why is this my afterlife~” the young king whines slumping over his desk deciding he’s not dealing with this right now.
꒷꒦☆══⋄⋆╡°˖ ✧☆✧ ˖°╞⋄⋆══☆꒦꒷
In the mortal world, a scroll appears in front of both John Constantine and Alfred Pennyworth. The scroll explains that the High King of the Infinite Realms made a decree to transfer ownership of split soul contracts to the entity that held the majority claim on the soul, that the new and sole owner of their souls is the High King of the Infinite Realms himself, and the scroll explains any changes to their contracts.
John of course is panicking. While Alfred is pleasantly pleased with his modified deal, realizing just how much protection his family now has because of it.