Kael allowed Francis and Fatima to walk forward, the duo bowing respectfully in their own ways to the emperor perched on his throne. Francis was the first to speak, adjusting the sleeve hem of his blueish-colored robe.
"My name is Francis, and this is my sister, Fatima."
Emperor Katsuki looked at them without saying a word, seemingly unimpressed by the shabby introduction. He groaned softly to himself, clasping his hands together.
"Explain why you're useful to me."
"Ah, of course!" Francis chuckled sheepishly, tugging on his sleeve some more as he dug into a hidden pocket of his robe.
He took out a small, transparent box of dark-colored dirt. He held the box up to show the emperor, whose brow moved only a millimeter, feigning interest in the seemingly unremarkable object presented to him.
"This dirt comes from my homeland of the Indun Empire!—"
A sudden strike of golden-colored energy coursed from the emperor's palm, taking the form of a spear that landed just inches from Francis. The Vulpur audibly gulped, sweating profusely as he gazed at the illusory weapon which pulsed and buzzed with energy.
"Get to the point."
Kael, who had silently observed the entire interaction, rubbed his glabella as he walked over to Emperor Katsuki's throne, whispering in his ear.
"I should be more respectful?!"
"Do you want to terrify the very people who seek to help you?" Kael placed his hands on his hips, glaring at the emperor like a disapproving parent.
Emperor Katsuki slumped back, pouting slightly as he roamed over the guests in the throne room. Looking back to Francis and Fantima, he sighed and spoke more calmly, though he struggled to hide the sarcasm crawling through his tone.
"Tell me, Francis and Fantima, why is this box of dirt worth my attention?"
Francis seemed to perk up, his ears subtly twitching as he smiled, kneeling down and placing the box of dirt on the ground. He then reached into his pocket once more, taking out a small vial filled with a few drops of orangeish-blue liquid. The liquid glowed with a radiant light, and Francis slowly unscrewed the wooden lid.
He tipped the vial only a few millimeters, allowing a singular droplet of the liquid to touch the soil beneath it. The emperor watched, his expression slowly contorting with slight curiosity as the soil began to undergo slow, subtle changes. Within the dark-colored dirt, something twitched and moved, and tiny sounds could be heard.
Suddenly, a small creature emerged from the soil, chirping and clicking softly. It looked like a small arachnid-like creature. Its eight legs scattered and darted as it ran up Francis's leg, climbing onto his shoulder. Emperor Katsuki watched in silence, observing any changes with this sudden work of genetic material.
Francis smiled, picking up the small green spider, bringing it to his lips. He slowly took a bite, feeling the crunchy, slightly gooey organs and body systems of the spider in between his fangs. He also chewed the legs to a pulp, finally finishing off the small meal by biting its abdominal cavity clean from what remained of the animal's cephalothorax.
He wiped his mouth, spreading his arms slightly as he smiled. "I was able to utilize the tiny organisms in the soil, using this special concoction to genetically rearrange and manipulate their internal contents. What came from it was the arachnid I just ate."
Hearing this, the emperor expressed an uncharacteristic amount of curiosity. He reached for a chalice sitting on the arm of his throne, sipping the small amount of wine within it.
"So, your inventions and genetic jumbo can turn one thing into another? What's that gotta do with food?"
The blue-robed Vulpur smiled. "Imagine a field of grass. With this special serum of mine, the blades of grass could become carrots!"
"Could you potentially demonstrate?" Emperor Katsuki questioned.
The Vulpur boy suddenly sighed, pouting a little. "I used the last of that serum to make the spider-snack. I could give a proper example once I replicate it on a much bigger scale."
Emperor Katsuki, his expression now softer, pointed below the carpet that ran down the middle of the throne room. "Below this throne room is an alchemical lab. Due to what's been occurring, it's been long abandoned. Though, I'm sure you and your accomplice can get everything started up again."
"A lab, sweet!" Francis clenched his fist in victory, leaping into the air with excitement. He quickly took his sister by the hand, making their way to the door.
Another sharp sound rang out as a mystical sword suddenly appeared, composed of orange energy. It pointed in the direction of the two siblings, the tip of the blade a few mere inches from Francis's neck. The emperor abruptly stood up, clearing his throat.
"No one leaves until I verify you're the right people for the job."
He then turned to Kael, nodding his head. "You may be dismissed, bird-brain."
Kael nodded with refinement, his form dissipating into black smoke. An ink-black raven suddenly soured from the smoke, diving out the open window. The others watched without uttering a word, intimidated by Emperor Katsuki.
"Now, shall we continue?" The emperor leaned back on his throne.
...
Kael flew through the open window leading to his bedroom, transforming back to humanoid form and sitting on his bed. His room was circular in shape, perched at the top of one of the higher towers of the castle. The crimson moon filtered in through the window, illuminating the desk that was situated right under it. On the desk was a small vat of ink, a few stacked pieces of paper, and a fountain pen.
There were other amenities—a human skull, the tailbone of a golem, and a few red-colored crystals that shone with radiant light. Kael walked over to the desk, slowly pushing aside the items and sitting in the creaky wooden chair, his gaze drifting to the open window.
"Kael?" A voice sounded behind him.
The man turned around, arching an eyebrow. In the doorway he saw a woman about his height, with chestnut brown hair, freckles, and green eyes—Hazel Midoryia—his lover. The woman, clad in a simple linen robe and silky undershirt, trotted into the room and plopped onto the desk, rolling herself in the blankets and pillows of Kael's comfortable bed.
"I didn't know advisors got princess treatment," she joked.
Kael snapped his fingers, causing his casual clothing to abruptly change. His top and bottom were abruptly removed, revealing his scarred, chiseled features. He was clad in nothing but undergarments as he walked over to the bed and sat down, grabbing Hazel by her shoulders.
His voice lowered to a silky purr, fingers intertwining with her locks. "Maybe I am deserving of princess treatment."
He leaned forward, planting his lips against Hazel's. The woman beneath him let out a low moan, her arms wrapping around his waist, habitually pulling her closer. She could feel the heat of her lover who lay on top of her. Both being Seekers, they could read each other's spiritual and metaphysical aura. Hazel knew he was hungry, almost driven mad with a current lust and hunger—a desire to love and feel an explicit, unadulterated passion.
Kael's mouth drove to her neck, planting countless kisses and hickeys. Hazel moaned beneath him, biting her own lip as she buried her head into his clavicle, seeking respite amongst the intense, overwhelming pleasure.
Eventually their love-making session came to a close, both changing back into their clothing. Kael put his shirt and pants into the nearest clothing disposal, opting for loose nightwear instead. Hazel, still half-naked on the bed, drew in shaky breaths, looking at the ceiling. She seemed at a loss for words.
"Do you enjoy that?" Kael asked, feeling a small pang of guilt.
Hazel faced him, pulling the sheets up to obscure her breasts. "Depends. I was just in the mood, you seemed to be that way too."
Kael fell silent for a moment, considering her words with an analytical viewpoint. He hadn't anticipated that abrupt emotional change, but something about seeing Hazel in such a state deeply aroused him. He swiftly turned around, hiding his stiffening member from view.
"If only I could tame my own emotions too."
"Aren't you a demi-god too?" Hazel sat up in bed, her gaze continually fixated on Kael.
The man with crimson hair and elven ears didn't immediately respond. He drew a deep sigh, chuckling self-depracatingly.
"I am a demi-god, a rank most won't assume even in a hundred years. You're lucky your father cares so much about you."
Hearing his words, Hazel sighed softly and looked down, her heart stirring a little. "You never told me about your family."
"I'd rather not." Kael immediately responded, his voice gaining a slight edge to it.
"Is it a sensitive topic? If it is, feel free to refrain." Hazel recalled her fathers lessons in being a good person, which included not overstepping boundaries and invading personal space. Whatever she did, she tried to be as consensual as she could.
Kael looked back to Hazel one more time, raking over her body, which was obscured by the sheets. After a moment of thought, he sighed under his breath and smiled.
"I'd recommend returning to your quarters. If you don't, your father will burst in here and scold me, maybe even rip me in half."
"So I will." Hazel stood up, facing Kael with her now nude form. Kael looked away, feeling a bit flustered, but he let the woman change back into her clothes in silence.
Before she left, Hazel turned back to Kael and smirked. "My father would only banish you; he isn't one to resort to brute violence."