A city connected by scaffolding and massive towers stood bathed in the day's sun. The light touched every corner of the city without fail and shadows were cut away with various lamps and magic artifacts. There was no room for darkness within this kingdom save for the night that was blessed by the stars and the moon's glow. The buildings were topped with sharpened points and bright red shingles touching either side. There were statues and motifs of the rulers of this kingdom strewn about the gathering centers where people of all species paid homage to the god-kings Au'ra and Yhisondrel. People gathered around a fountain with a statue of the two horned-equine hybrids to give a quick prayer in hopes that they too might achieve perfection to incur the pleasure of their rulers and to hopefully avoid their ire. The smiles that people wore were tight against their faces as they continued about their day making as little trouble as possible. There was only one creature who seemed to hold dissent on their features, someone who had great cause to hate the god-kings. She sat on a crate near an open alley while people worked all around her. An ax was hooked through her belt and her clothes were frayed at the edges but her eyes were fierce and sparked with dissatisfaction. That hatred was enough to wipe away any fear in those golden eyes and though they were but a small pygmy tiger, they had every intention to fight. 


Ragnhild had been waiting for her brother to return from the castle for over a month. He had gone to seek work at the castle to provide for their family. The letters had stopped after a week but the money still came to them so the rest of her family seemingly did not care what happened to the boy. Why bother? They were getting good money and their child was in the hands of their precious kings. Everyone in the kingdom knew that the kings were crooked but no one would dare shatter the peace that had been built on the idea of the perfect civilization with the perfect citizens Her brother had been one of the few things keeping her sane in this place and those letters had been the final pieces of the chains connecting them. Now the letters were gone, Sigurd was nowhere to be seen and her hatred was left to fester. Ragnhild could not stand this place, had never been able to stand it and all she wanted to do was to see her brother again. There was no feasible way to petition the kings either. She could ask officials all she wanted but they would simply turn her away and tell her that her brother was happy. Any attempt to ask for an audience with the kings simply resulted in the terror of never-ending bureaucracy. None of those things mattered anymore now that she had herself a sure-fire way to see at least one of the kings. 


One of the kings was going to hold a ball during the evening that was open to all who desired to come. It was a chance for the people to see their king and give proper thanks. A few souls had attempted to voice complaints over the years during these events and most of them ended up disappearing or being given the lovely chance to be molded to perfection by one of the kings. Death was the merciful option in this case. 


Even if the gates of the castle were supposedly open to anyone who came she knew that not just any peasant could get in there. Her manner, her body, her clothing and more spoke of the fact that she had been working all of her life beneath the kingdom and despite the extra money her home was still considered the slums. They wouldn’t let an armed peasant into the castle unless she agreed to be dressed up and presented around as one of the kingdoms pet projects to show how kind and benevolent the kings were. In the end, she would have to cut her way through to even hope to get into the castle and she was fine with that. 


Death would be better than becoming one of those creature’s servants, death would be preferable to the knowledge that her brother had become one of their thralls just to try and give her a better life. She didn’t want a better life if it meant her brother was gone or worse. Even if she died, even if the worst should happen, she did not want to give up without a fight. With a breath, she clapped her cheeks and ignored the tears that were stinging at the edges of her vision. She hopped off of where she was sitting and headed back to her home to make preparations for the ball. 


The evening came and the castle near the center of the city burned brighter than any star. Magic was shot into the air, cracking and sparkling to illuminate the gloom of the night. Clouds were dragged aside to reveal the stars and moon to let what light of the evening pour down on the city below. Those who knew their lot in life knelt in reverence toward the castle before making their way home. A few fools hoped to catch the eye of the guards or even an official so that they could meet the king and perhaps have a chance at a different life. Those who held those foolhardy beliefs all lumbered together in a crowded line heading toward the castle while the gates creaked open and the criers began to call. 


“Come those who would bask in the light of our lords! Come those who would bathe in the love of our kings so that you may see for yourselves that they cherish each and every one of their denizens.” 


The criers kept on telling the same old story, the same old lie even though people were being turned away already. Excuses were dolled out and most had to do with matters of security but at the very least, none were treated violently for now. The knights standing near the gates watched the city guard work and a few times they intervened to brandish a blade or fang to remind people where they stood. 


Finally, a single figure in a tattered cloak appeared at the front of the line with her head bowed down. The guards looked at the tiny frail thing and shook their heads before one of the resplendent knights in white armor stepped forward with a hand on the pommel of his sword, “Now, see this child of misfortune who simply wishes to behold their king...I would gladly take them as my charge and show the people the mercy of our kingdom. I can see those beautiful golden eyes even from beneath that hood young miss, so please, show your face so that I may see your true hidden splendor.”  


Ragnhild grabbed the sides of her hood to draw it back and reveal herself to the knight. She played the part of a poor lost soul looking for clemency with big eyes and ears drawn back. The knight took her by the shoulder gently and sighed, “Look at this thing, so small! I will take you with me as my charge and perhaps you will find your place among the servants of this wondrous place.” 


Most likely, he meant at his side like a toy of sorts but she bowed her head and gave thanks in hushed tones, “I hope to serve you and the kings as best as I can so I will not tarnish this opportunity.” 


The knight led her through the castle gates and into the main hall where the walls were adorned with lights that gave the appearance that it was day time. Portraits of the kings were placed on the wall so she could see their idiot mugs in full color as she walked by. When the doors were shut behind them, she stopped walking and reached beneath her cloak to grab onto her ax. 


“Hm? Is something wrong? Amazed by the sight of just the main hall? Or perhaps it is the lights. My, I must say if you’re so starstruck by the main hall then you’ll be amazed at my room.” 


The head of the ax buried itself in the man’s face cleaving through the visor and helmet he wore. He reached down toward her as if he were going to grab her before his body slumped over. Ragnhild yanked her ax back and wiped the blood on the standard the corpse at her feet wore before she headed deeper into the castle. She kept her ax hidden as she walked through the halls and followed the sound of people buzzing toward a specific path. Ragnhild had no idea where she was going but the people were all here to go to the ballroom so it didn’t take long to find out where to go. Most ignored her because she was short enough not to care about and she blended well in crowds. When she arrived at the massive double doors leading into the ballroom, two knights in bright white and gold armor stood at the entrance. Each of them wielded halberds they immediately crossed upon seeing her. 


“HALT.” One of the knights bellowed. 


Everyone that had been going toward the ballroom paused at the command but Ragnhild only kept on walking with her paw dropping to grab her ax and pull it free to prepare for a fight. These knights had sharper eyes than the last and both hefted those mighty halberds to point them at her to prepare for a fight. The people in the hall darted away from the center of the battle and ran off to find someplace safe most likely to alert more knights. She knew her mother had never intended for her to use those lessons like this but she was thankful for the opportunity to learn how to defend herself even if it meant she would be using it to drag herself into the maw of the beast. She rushed forward and leaped over the first thrust and stepped on the halberd to hop up and above the second thrust. As fast as she could she ran along the length of the halberd and slammed her ax into the visor of the first knight. The metal cracked but he had backed away enough to prevent the ax from digging into his head. She yanked her ax back just in time to bring up a guard to take the brunt of a gauntlet clad hand that slapped her away. 


While the injured knight clasped his face looking for a way to get the metal shards out of his eyes, the next came running at her with a yell. She ducked through the thrust this time and slid beneath him to slam her ax into the back of his knee. The armor crunched but did not dent and she drew it back before slamming it in again. This time it dented and chipped like lumber being chopped. Again she brought the ax against the knee and the knight cried out before crumpling over with the halberd used to hold himself up. She yanked her ax out of the man’s leg and stepped back to see that both of them were out of the way. The first was still struggling to get the helmet off of his head while the other seemed unable to move at all. They both cursed and seethed at her but she had more important things to deal with. 


Turning her back to the two crippled knights, she stepped up to the doors and grabbed hold of the handles. She squeezed and pushed it open to reveal a world of resplendent colors before her. Golden lights adorned the ceiling illuminating the dancers below dressed in various colored outfits. A stage with a band tugging on stringed instruments stood at the far side of the room while the other side of the room had the object of her search. As the doors closed, dark violet eyes came to meet her golden gaze full of unhidden fury. Au’ra was a tall uniqorn with a sharp serpentine figure covered by blond fur. He wore a soldier’s uniform as if he had fought in any wars and held a rapier in his belt. A smile was permanently plastered on his face and light golden hair fell over one eye. He did not budge as she approached him, did not seem to care as the people around him began to step aside. They weren’t afraid of her. She knew that despite her appearance they were much more frightened of the king standing in their midst and what he would do. 


Both of his hands were behind his back and when she stopped he brought one out to ask, “My my, such a ragged creature. What are you doing here with that ax little one?” 


Ragnhild hissed, “I’m here to get my brother back and to lop your head off! You and your sibling are a menace!” 


The king laughed and his subjects joined him until he raised a hand toward them. When he finished, he breathed out, “What a strong-willed girl. To come here and meet your death all for the purpose of saving your dear brother. Tell me, did I imprison your brother? Or did he come here of his volition?” 


“He came here to help his family but he stopped sending letters, he cut contact and all we get is a bit of cold blood money in return! I want my brother back!” 


Au’ra sighed, “Such passion. What a glowing example of the youth in this kingdom. Despite where you come from, you feel so strongly for your brother. Why, I understand such a feeling as your other king is my love and kin even though we share no blood. If you sheathe your weapon then I would give you a position as a knight under my tutelage and we can iron out any imperfections in you as well. You’re certainly more talented than the people standing guard outside the doors groaning and licking their wounds.”


“I refuse!” She yelled, “I don’t care what type of life you have lined up for me as one of your stupid dolls in this stupid plastic castle! Everything is stark white and painful to my eyes! You’re the ones who are flawed going around pretending that you’re anything but a disgusting creature who takes advantage of people! Hell, even I’m more beautiful than you! Aren’t my eyes gold and aren’t yours a shade of purple and black? Doesn’t that mean by your standards I’m perfect and you’re disgusting?” 


A small crack appeared in the king’s expression. A slight chip fell off of his glamour revealing a speck of purple beneath his eyes as his smile grew, teeth showing as he reached for his rapier, “If that is the way you see it then at the very least I can grant you a quick death.”  


She clutched her ax with both paws just as the king came at her with arcane speed. Her eyes barely caught wind of his movement before her body managed to react and leap out of the way of a thrust that pierced the floor perfectly. Ragnhild didn’t bother stopping to admire the power but instead turned her body as she landed to dart forward and swing with all her might. The king withdrew his blade and the guard of the rapier slid across the ax and sent her reeling. Ragnhild tried her best to pull herself out of her new trajectory but struggled due to the force of the parry. With a frown, she stomped one foot down hard and sucked in a breath before using the motion to drive it all toward the king again. Au’ra had been approaching quickly and he needed to jerk his body back to avoid the cleave of the ax. He sneered but looked down as the air touched his stomach. The slice had missed anything important but it tore through his uniform. 


Au’ra’s eye twitched, another few cracks forming as he dragged his rapier back and leaped at the small girl. The thrust missed but as he landed, he let go of the rapier and allowed it to clatter to the ground as he raised a hand and batted the girl’s cheek before she could lift her arms. The ax fell from her grip and the king stepped forward to strike her again. That second blow was enough to nearly topple her and he was about to bring the back of his hand against her face one more time but he stopped as he felt her paws clutching onto his fist. He could feel claws digging beneath his fur, tiny and full of anger and spite even though the girl was so close to being beaten. He looked down into her eyes, those golden eyes that held so much disgust for him and he saw himself. The cracks in his visage were clear, the darkness pouring from the seams. Her eyes were beautiful, her resolve was perfect. He could kill her right now and he would be destroying everything that he stood for. Perfection, beauty, passion. Even if her fur was matted and her clothing was tattered she was something that could be molded and more than that, her words would not leave his mind. Would his brother or himself ever fight for one another like this? Of course, but perhaps for different reasons. 


When he felt those claws regaining their strength about to dig into his hand, he yanked his hand back and drove it back down onto the girl’s face just in time for a few knights to come in with weapons drawn. One was about to jab the fline with a spear and he roared loud enough that the room shook and the band stopped playing, “Do not!” With a sigh, he closed his eyes and straightened himself before reaching up to smooth his hair back, “Take her and kick her out of the castle. Be polite. She has displayed qualities that should not be wasted and more than that...She was only here for her brother.” 


Whispers echoed through the crowd about how kind the king was, some even genuine. As the knights saluted and took the girl away, he brought a hand up and excused himself for the evening. No one bothered to ask him if he would stay. Why would they? He had a tear in his clothing and a crack in his features. None would dare stare at the darkness pouring out or mention it. Au’ra kept the charade as well, hands held behind the back and pace slow as he walked out of the ballroom. When he was on his way to his quarters, he released his hands and allowed them to come to his front so he could breathe in and then growl. The king balled his hands into fists and brought them up as he thought of that little brat facing him with such an insulting claim but it was a claim that he could not deny. Her eyes had been beautiful while his own were terrible. Not even the aid of his brother could cure him of the darkness of his eyes. The bright light that had been bestowed on his body would not reach his sight no matter how much torture he went through. Again, he could feel the cracks building in his visage but he continued thinking of the girl’s words, her eyes, her determination and passion for her sibling. With a hiss, he slammed his fist into the wall and the sterile white cracked like his corrupt features.


“Sir?” Came a small voice. 


An eye cracked open wide to look to the side and see a feline servant attempting to attend to him so foolishly. He must have been either new or broken in already. Lashing out, he grabbed the servant by the shoulder and slammed the feline up against the wall. The servant gasped but did nothing to struggle or move away as he looked up at the king with bright golden eyes. Au’ra had a hand around the servant’s neck ready to start squeezing as his words were about to come out to tell the little feline what he was going to do but he paused as he took a good look at those eyes. Gold like the sun turned into a gem with a gentle almond-like fur. He was taller and certainly older but this was the sibling of that little girl. Again his features cracked and he leaned over the servant, ready to use him, ready to take out all of his anger out on the feline but he could not. The grip of his hand around the boy’s neck eased and the servant fell to the floor gasping for air. 


His voice came trembling, “S-sir. Did you need anything? I could relieve you in any way you desire. I don’t mind if you use me like that. It has been done before and I have come to love it. This I swear.” 


The king breathed in and then responded as calmly as he could manage, “Raymond. Why did you come to the castle?” 


Those eyes flashed with something like life behind them but that flame soon flickered away as he answered, “I don’t remember anything of my previous life, my previous name. I don’t need anything so long as I am serving you, your majesty.” 


The servant’s paws moved to clutch his pants. He watched as the boy attempted to go through the motions of service despite never being told to and despite the fact that Au’ra saw some form of life flickering beneath that husk. The king frowned and swatted the boy’s digits away from his body but the servant did not gasp or cry out he only inclined  his head as if understanding of all that was happening. Broken. A toy that he had used up long ago. He remembered those eyes, loving and cherishing them but the rest of the boy had been imperfect. Au’ra had granted him perfection through trial and tribulation. The servant had survived but once perfection had been achieved he had grown dissatisfied just like with the rest of the creatures that he had fixed. Those eyes were a sore reminder of the girl who had just defied him. Au’ra could pluck those eyes, could snuff what little remained of this servant’s life and never think about it again but to do so would be to act against his principles. No, he would release the boy with his brother’s permission and then be rid of this hell once and for all. 


“Your majesty? Are you unwell? Is there anything I can do for you?” Asked the servant dutifully. 


Au’ra closed his eyes and brought himself back until he was standing straight. His words came as he turned around, “No. I don’t need anything from you. I’ll be retiring to my quarters. Attend to the guests in the ballroom and try to stay out of trouble. You have my favor so see that none harm you.” 


With that said, he began to walk away from the confused feline. More of his glamour began to crackle like dust in the wind. His snout was still the same but the spots beneath his eyes had blackened to reveal his shame. A few knights stood by and saluted him as he kept on walking but they did not react. How could they not? The darkness within him was such an ugly thing and yet, even he found himself thinking about other things. Those golden eyes, those words full of contempt. Tomorrow they would be gone. Au’ra arrived at his quarters and immediately stripped from his ruined uniform. He tossed away the tatters of his clothing and once the door was shut behind him, he snapped to turn off all the lights in the room. Pure darkness engulfed the room allowing him to be out of sight, allowing his mind to blank out as well, or so he hoped. Those words still plagued his mind, still made him feel like a fool for even existing in the way that he did but these were just small doubts. He sighed and went to lie down in bed where his eyes looked out the dinwod and up at the stars above. The sound of the door opening did not bother him, did not disturb him for he knew there was only one person who dared enter his quarters without knocking and there were very few who would dare even knock as well. 


Au’ra did not react to the sound of clothes shifting in the darkness, did not care as the covers were moved and as he felt a gentle warmth against his back. He did not care about the lips against his ear and then neck, he did not even waver as he felt something sliding between his legs. His hair was grabbed and yanked, his neck was bitten and his body was dragged and tugged until he was bent over. A few kisses were planted along his body until they came to his ear where soft sultry laughter played like horrid bells. He ignored it and everything that had been happening came to a pause. 


“Does it not irritate you? To know that you are the one being used this time? To know that you are the one who is inferior to me of all people? Dearest brother, won’t you struggle, won’t you seethe and cry?” Came that sultry voice. 


Au’ra only replied with a small hum. Claws gripped his arm to turn him onto his back and a snap in the air called the lights back on to reveal that it was his kin Yhisondrel as he thought. The other uniqorn was more of an avian hybrid with bright gold and blond plumage and eyes sparkling like bright marigold stars. His face was contorted into a frown as he reached down to grab Au’ra’s neck and squeeze. 


The other king leaned down so their snouts were nearly touching and he scoffed, “Look at you...Pathetic. Your face is almost entirely ruined thanks to some little punk with an ax. Dear brother of mine, I will gladly bring out a search party for that girl to maim and murder her if you desire.” 


“No.” He answered plainly. 


The hand around his neck trailed up to his chin to squeeze as Yhisondrel narrowed his eyes, “Very well. Then how about we continue our little game here.” A smile touched his features as he gave the side of Au’ra’s mouth a little peck, “Won’t it be nice to have me dominating you for a change? You’re pathetic and we both know I’m packing more than you.” 


Au’ra sighed, “Do as you like.” 


Though his chin was held, his eyes were averted toward the window. Yhisondrel’s grip tightened and he seethed, “Are you ignoring me?” When Au’ra did not answer, the avian king drew his hand back and brought it down to swipe away the glamour from his face entirely. Au’ra’s features turned more serpentine, the darkness deepening over his expression but he still did not react as Yhisondrel passed a hand gingerly over his cheek, “Look at you, ugly, corrupt, disgusting. If you would only ask then you know I would help you maintain that lovely face of yours.” Again no answer and so Yhisondrel hissed, “What is it that you want? Why will you not even look at me you pathetic little—” 


His own words cut through Yhisondrel’s as his eyes still looked out at the night sky, “I wish to release a servant of ours by the name of Raymond.” 


Yhisondrel’s eyes gleamed with fury, “Is that what you want?! I’ll release him from this life myself if that’ll cure you of this madness that has gripped you.” 


“No.” Au’ra said quietly, “I want him released back to his old family. He’s no longer interesting to me anyway. A broken toy.” 


The fire and anger in those eyes did not go away but Au’ra did not take notice even as Yhisondrel sighed, “Very well...But only because I love you so much.” 


Au’ra was quiet for a moment before he closed his eyes and uttered, “I love you too.” 


A gentle warmth touched his cheek as Yhisondrel leaned down to plant a kiss on his snout and mutter, “Good...Rest here as long as you’d like. I’ll go arrange that servant’s release and take care of the guests you had so rudely left. Be well, my sweet brother.” 


When Au’ra opened his eyes, his brother was gone. He sat up to look out the window again where he could see the faint glow of his reflection on the clean surface. His glamour was back as beautiful as ever but his eyes were still bruised and violet. With a sigh, he snapped his fingers to turn off the lights and laid back in bed to close his eyes and sleep. He dreamed of that little runt facing him, of her words touching him and he woke the next morning early enough that the sun was just coming up. He looked to his side and saw Yhisondrel curled against him. Au’ra reached down to touch his cheek gently and wondered if their relationship was as beautiful as the one between that runt and her brother. With a sigh, he slid over to the side of the bed where he looked out the window and saw the little runt from last night reuniting with her brother on the bridge to the castle. Tears were streaming from her eyes and the smile on her face warped to a frown but then a pensive curve again. He could see that she was confident that she could still have her brother, that he was still there somewhere. Au’ra was sure that she could break his spell and he hated that thought, and yet, their bond, those hellish eyes haunted him. 


There was no reason for her to come back, no reason for her brother to come back and the people would whisper that the king was a kind man who returned family members to desperate little girls. He breathed out a sigh of relief but even as he closed his eyes he wondered. Why was he so empty? Why did he feel nothing at the return of the siblings? He should be furious, he should kill them both but had no desire to do so. All he felt was vast darkness deep within tearing at him. Empty. That’s all he was without his anger and bluster. A tear fell from his face coated in violet corruption; empty.