Chapter Text
O Chosen One, Prince of all Planets, Child of the Listeners; the Great and Powerful Beings that Hear our fortunes and whisper of our failures yet to come.
Bring forth this Child of the Universe, O Listeners, bring forth the Boy that shall Heal the Galaxy. The Boy that shall Unite the Four Planets, that shall Prophesy the Day of Our End.
Let us invoke his name by Your Rite, O Listeners.
Tell us O Chosen One, of the Day that shall pass when you strike down the Chaos Bringer. Of the Day that Your homeplanet will finally be free and escape the Watchers' Wrath.
Tell us a story. A prophecy.
O Chosen One,
are you listening?
A young child woke up in a cold sweat. He gasped for air as if his lungs had been snatched away, desperately clinging at his chest. He felt the familiar soft materials of his pyjamas, which was at least reassuring to let him know he was still here. Alive and real.
The dirty blonde ruffled his pale yellow feathers behind him as he sat up in the bed. He was no younger than eight, this being the eve of his birthday. He had a slightly round face, a bit of chubbiness to his cheeks that was normal for most almost-nine year olds. Skin fair, still slightly sweaty from the horrific vision he'd been privy to viewing in his sleep. What stood out about the young boy wasn't his puffed canary wings, but rather, how his eyes shone brighter than ever in the darkness of his dimly lit room.
Eyes completely white, not a pupil to be seen. He'd been born like this, cursed. A wicked curse by the Watchers, the ones who loomed over Evo like a plague waiting for its next victim to strike. They'd taken away his sight as soon as They heard what the Listeners were up to.
The boy was, of course, accustomed to his blindness, as he carefully manoeuvred himself to the edge of his large bed to reach over to his desk. He felt around it carefully, searching for a specific switch underneath the sharp quartz of his intricately designed bedside table. It didn't take long before his fingers brushed against the familiar braille. It took a few seconds to identify the right one, but once he did he hit the switch instantly.
His head perked up at the alerting sound of hurried footsteps towards his chamber doors, though he'd already recognised the worried steps that made their way past the guards and straight to him. The guards themselves had barely saluted when their Leader had rushed past, gliding directly to the boy's side. He sat beside him on the large bed, taking his hand in his and tapping it gently. That's often how he told him he was there.
Before the other could speak, a lady briefly entered the bedchambers. Her long black hair a bit of a mess while still in her pastel purple cat pyjamas. Still, she composed herself, and rushed to the boy's aid in concern.
"Prince Jimmy! Are you alright, my prince??" Her tone soft and eyebrows fret with worry.
The prince almost nodded, though his nod was interrupted by the words of his brother beside him. He held a hand up, though Jimmy couldn't see, and dismissed the panicked maid.
"It's alright, Katherine. You may return to your own chambers, after all, there’s a big trip to be made tomorrow."
She doesn't hesitate to nod her head back in response, once more glancing back and checking if the prince was okay. He attempts to smile back at her, though he's not sure which direction his eyes are facing, he's certain it's somewhat close.
It satisfies her, turning away with a bow and walking back to her own room connected to the side. In truth, she wasn't Jimmy's personal maid. But she’d acted as such since they arrived here. She had been tasked by his sister, the Queen of Oceania, to protect him on Evo for the time being. It wasn't easy being a half-breed, born of two planets.
Jimmy knew that well enough even at the young age of nine. He knew many things. He'd heard many things. Too many. Yet the Watchers craved more, feeding off of his distress.
He felt the gentle stroke of his brother's hand against his, and was brought back to reality. He turned his head in the direction of his figure, blank white eyes shifting from side to side as they usually did when not knowing where to settle, unable to see a single thing.
His brother starts, "What was it this time, Tim?"
The prince doesn't reply for a moment. He gathers the whirling thoughts in his head, the flashing images of death painted freshly in his mind. The haunting whisperings of his so-called 'gods' who only earned him more grief.
With a shaky and tiny voice, the child spoke, "I saw- I saw you. In my vision."
The other is slightly taken aback, though urges him to keep going while holding his hand softly.
"Take me through it slowly."
The avian, older than Jimmy by quite a fee centuries at least, had his large parrot wings spread out on the bed as they rested. They covered Jimmy's small canary ones, as if protecting them from any harm. The avian himself was dressed in a red button-up set of pyjamas, his eyes dreary as he'd scurried out of bed, and his bushy light hazel hair infringing down upon his forehead. Barely blocking his sight as he faced his little brother, a solemn expression on his face.
Jimmy hesitated only a little, before he felt brave enough to open up. The comfort of his brother was more than enough.
"There was a desert. I think- I think it was called the ' Red Desert '. I heard someone tell ‘me’. A different me."
His brother frowned, clearly confused.
"Different how?"
"In every way." Jimmy instantly replies back, now visibly trembling. "My skin was.. dark, it looked grey. I seemed older, slightly taller than you. There were red flowers in my hair. I don’t know what kind.”
He pauses briefly, then continues.
“And then- I saw you fighting. There was a tall man with you. You were trying to take him somewhere, I think I heard you say, 'Somewhere far from this place. Somewhere safe.' But you both got injured in battle. Your magic seemed to lose control, and so did his, and then..."
He paused. He couldn't go on without feeling sick.
Jimmy shakily held his hand up to his mouth, refraining himself from throwing up. His brother soothed his back with gentle circles, calming him down enough for him to talk again.
"I- I'm so scared, Grian."
When the avian looked deep into those whited out eyes of nothing, he felt guilt and sorrow and pity overtake his body all at once. Instinctively, he reached over and carefully took the child into his arms.
He whispered softly to hum him back to sleep. Being a little too hopeful it would work, though he already knew his little brother well. After a nightmare like that, he'd never get back to sleep.
"Shhh, it's alright bud. I'm here. Nothing's gonna hurt you.”
Trembling in his arms, the blinded boy took deep breaths to calm himself down. After a little while, his yellow feathers were no longer ruffled though his ears had gone almost sore from the horrors he’d heard passed down to him through his hearing. Whisper after whisper, it only got worse. This gift of his was a blessing and yet a curse. Unable to see for life, but able to have clear dreams and hear the past, present and future spoken to him quietly in hushed voices right in his ear.
When he looks up at his brother, who cradles him in his arms, he is reminded of the day that follows them. Perhaps it wasn’t his horrific vision that had made it impossible for him to sleep, but his anxiety too, of tomorrow’s grand mission. With puppy eyes (well, pure white puppy eyes), he stared up at his brother with a question begging on his lips.
“Are you… are you really going there?” Jimmy quietly asked, eyes shifting from side to side, unknowing of where his brother’s face was. “How long will you be gone for? Isn’t it dangerous to go alone? Shouldn’t someone like False or Xisuma at least go with yo-”
“Shh, Tim. Calm down.”
Grian pats him on the head gently, wishing he could show the sincerity in his eyes. But in a way, it’s a blessing his baby brother can’t see him. Because Grian’s sorrowful expression betrays the optimism he gives in his voice. He attempts a sad smile, while stroking the boy’s blonde locks and replying.
“Look, thanks to your information, we have a rough idea of what the rebels are up to on Ammos. I know it’s not ideal to be going in alone, but this mission requires time and patience. It has to be done discreetly. I…” Grian grimaces, looking away for a moment.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. It’ll take as long as it takes.” He places a hand on Jimmy’s shoulder, and looks into his eyes hoping the tone of his voice conveys his expression just enough. “You’re too young for all of this, but I will admit there’s not much choice with what you're privy to. This mission, it’s…”
It’s the only way I can save you.
“It’s imperative to Evo. If I fail, we risk war. And unfortunately, you’ve seen and heard what that’s like.”
Jimmy nods, looking innocently up as his pale eyes scan over the nothingness in front of him.
“But I swear to you, Tim, by the Watchers in the sky, that I will return for you. And you will be safe.”
He gives a solemn look, his hand gently placed on the younger’s shoulder.
“You… you promise you’ll come back? That you won’t leave me?”
The blonde stares in the same spot as before, unsure of whether he’s meeting his brother’s gaze or not. Tears threaten to fall down his cheeks, but he doesn’t allow them to. He has to be brave. As the crown prince of Evo, what choice does he have?
“I promise.”
Grian’s words reassure him, as he leaps in for a hug. Arms wrap around him, as well as brightly coloured wings, arching over the tired boy in a shield of protection. He finds himself yawning, exhausted from the cruelty he’d both witnessed and heard. His brother notices this, and cautiously places him back in bed, covering the duvet over him and softly caressing his head as he falls into a deep sleep. He sits by the side of the child’s bed, whispering a final time into the night.
“I promise I’ll be right here when you need me.”
That’s what Grian promised.
A day later, he was gone.
Roughly a year passed.
He didn’t return.
˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚
A year later…
Beneath the high palace grounds of their prestigious royal clan, the citizens of Evo had fallen into lives of treachery and despair. Ever since their gods, the Watchers, had cursed their planet and their crown prince since long before his birth, the lower lands had suffered immensely. Stuck behind in terms of development, structure, healthcare; even their magic had weakened. Home to a large majority of the planet’s citizens, forced to share in this curse that led their people to poverty and famine. An undercity known as the best place for hire, whether it be an assassin or mechanic you’re in need of.
Through the nooks and crannies of each alleyway was a story waiting to be told. The amalgamations of houses and streets just barely touch the light of the rising sun that rose in the east, the depths of the city remaining dark all year round. Children rush by playing around in the mud with their boots all soaked, finally returning inside once their guardians have warned them enough of the acid rain that’s about to fall down from the dark night sky.
A gloved hand reaches out from a corner, as if to test it. The rain lands with a sizzle in his hand. He stares up into the sky, unaffected by it. It’s funny. He always thought the undercity of Evo, Aurai, had a beautiful view from above. With how the burning stars shone in the darkness, how the purple rain stung against the ground. Since he was a child, he’d found it astonishing. He loved Aurai with all his heart.
But this man was no longer that innocent child. He’d once believed in change. In the hope that Evo would soon defeat their ruthless gods and end their own people’s suffering. Life had come crashing down and forced him into the harsh reality.
The man took a step back into the alleyway, and turned around to make his way over to another right turn at the end. He wore large strapped boots, a black turtleneck with a dusty green bomber jacket with a fluffed collar on top, and a mask covering the lower half of his face. Underneath his jacket was a belt strapped to his waist with all sorts of useful items, whether for defence or offence. His hair was completely white, just a tad bit long and hung over his headband in a slight mess. A few piercings were on his pointed ears that stuck out, and notably a scar ran through his left eye, the pupil coloured a dark shade of red.
This was the man that made his way round a corner to jump down from a few roofs to find himself back at the familiar place of his friend’s bar. It wasn’t too packed at this time of day (?) (it was hard to tell in the darkness), and the bar was rather cosy with enough round tables and booths spaced around. He made his way right up to the front bar, and just sat down to look up and see his friend greeting him with a wide grin.
“Heya, Etho! You want the usual?”
A large man cheerfully addresses him, wiping a few glasses clean. His ears are pointed, though less than Etho’s, and are rather stubby like the rest of his features. He has a large golden nose ring hanging from his nostrils, and has stubbed horns peeking out of his ruffled brown hair. He wears a blacksmith’s uniform with a yellow embroidered patch on one side, the letter ‘i’.
In response to him, Etho sighs. “Not today, thanks Impulse. I have a feeling someone’s looking for me…”
He glances back towards a booth in the far right corner. Impulse eyes it too, the pair looking back at each other with suspicion. Before they continue, a smaller figure with bright spirit flames sprouting from above his head approaches them from behind the counter next to Impulse.
“Well, you’re a rather popular guy, Mr. Bounty hunter. All kinds of people want you to get their dirty work done.” He remarks teasingly with a smirk as he heats up a drink with a small fire in his hand, passing it over.
Etho gladly takes the drink anyway, knowing that his friends won’t let him refuse it. They both gesture for him to look back again, neither of their expressions able to discern who exactly they are looking at. Impulse seems rather serious, while Tango frowns a little at the sight. Etho glances back again, this time managing to look for just a millisecond longer to get a vivid image imprinted in his mind. The aura around the figure is menacing and almost one of bloodlust, seemingly female in a dark red cloak that’s been torn at the edges. She sits with her legs crossed over, arms too, smiling wickedly as her piercing eyes finally catch Etho’s gaze. Long hazel hair flowing out the sides over her shoulders, her fringe and hood covering her face just enough to hide her identity.
He glares back for a moment, assessing her carefully. From all the people he’s done jobs for, none of them were this high in ranking. Watcher magic seemed to flow all around her. He could sense it from across the bar, and he could see it with his left eye. Ebbing and flowing through the woman’s body, a shade of dark purple that surrounded her in strokes. His own magic seemed weakened around her, though he was still a few feet away. With not much of a choice, he gets up to go and approach her.
Impulse and Tango nod as if to say ‘good luck with that client’, Tango staying a little longer to point a finger to his head and spin it around, making a funny face implying ‘she’s a little crazy’. It almost makes Etho laugh at the sight of his friend rolling his eyes about, but he quickly remembers the situation. He walks over to the lady, calmly sitting down across from her in the booth. When she speaks, it almost sends a shiver down his spine.
“Well hello, Etho.” She smiles eerily.
He furrows his eyebrows, crossing his arms over as he replies.
“You’ve heard of me then?”
The woman almost laughs. “Of course I have! Who hasn’t around these parts?”
She gestures with her hand around at the bar, hybrids and magic users of all types standing and sitting around, busy with their own conversations. Etho’s quick to notice a large axe lying beside her, as she spreads her arms out to lean them on the booth behind her. He hears a growl from underneath him, and glances down to see a couple of large grey wolves glaring up at him from beneath the woman’s feet.
They return to their master as she strokes their fur, continuing with their conversation.
“The so-called famous bounty hunter who can get any job done.” Her red gleaming eyes look over at him, “Even murder.”
He frowns, “I’m not an assassin. If that’s what you want from me, then I’ll be on my way.”
The lady in the red cloak giggles, though it doesn’t sound friendly at all.
“Oh no, far from it. I’d never ask you to assassinate anyone.” She glances down at her wolves again, petting them sweetly. “But there is someone I’d like you to find. They need him alive, and are willing to pay a hefty price.”
As she says this, a small bag of coins is bounced up and down in her free hand, chucking it over to Etho. He catches it with suspicion, his eyes widening slightly when he notices the weight in his hand.
“And that’s just the initial payment.”
She turns to face him properly, crossing her arms over the table and leaning over to look at him curiously. “Look bud, as long as you don’t ask any questions, you’ll get more than the original reward says. My clients’ll see to that.”
Etho narrows his eyes at her, “Before I agree to any kind of job, I’d at least like to know who these ‘clients’ are.”
“Uh-uh-uh~” She lifts one finger and shakes it, replying in a sing-song tone. “No questions allowed. All the info you need is for the job, and it’s what I’m about to tell you.”
The bounty hunter glances between the coin bag in his hand and her sitting across from him. He realises he’s not getting a name out of her either, so he decides to ask something realistic.
“Alright, tell me. But I need some kind of codename to refer to you as.”
At that, she smiles wickedly. As if she’s enjoying their conversation thoroughly.
“Crescent. Scarlet Crescent.” She taps her finger against her cheek in thought, “As for the job…”
Etho waits patiently, sensing something’s definitely off about her. It’s the crimson glow in her eyes as she smiles, her cheeks almost a similar shade of red. He can’t tell if it’s from the cold, or if it’s a graze against her cheek. At some point the images blur, and he thinks he’s seeing fresh blood across her face.
She reaches a hand over for him to shake, just as he’s presented with his highest ranking job yet.
“Abduct the crown prince.”
Tilting her head, she smiles wider when seeing the baffled expression on Etho’s face. Before he can even reply, she shakes his hand enthusiastically. And he’s left to wonder what in the galaxy he’s gotten himself into.
“Pleasure doing business with you, Etho.”