A House Divided [Vitani]

[Zala'Vas]

heavy is the head
that wears the crown

As he walked through the halls of his palace, Zala’Vas looked upon the glowing runes and cold stone around him. For millennia this place had stood almost entirely unchanged, and he could not help but wonder how the ghosts that lived within the stone viewed him. A tyrant? A king without a claim? A usurper no better than Zant? If they had any particularly effusive opinion of him, they were certainly opting to remain quiet about it.

Perhaps that was for the best.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, just between his eyes, to combat an oncoming headache. There was a lot of work to accomplish today, and despite his deep, dreamless trance of a sleep, the burden of legacy sat squarely upon him. No matter the good deeds he accomplished, the strength of his people and his realm, at the end of his reign he would be known primarily as the usurper. It had been ages since Midna had fled, and the whispers persisted, always at the edge of his ears, always just out of sight.

Of course, he wasn’t alone on this walk either; a handful of advisers formed a semicircle behind and to his sides, chattering in tandem at him. There was an uprising of dissidents in the far reaches of the city. Food supplies were at a low due to the number of farmers moving to the more prosperous cities. The token assassins he had sent to ensure Midna did not come back this time hadn’t reported back in long enough to draw suspicion. None of these surprised him; a new reign, especially after centuries, prompted people to think over their lives and attempt to start anew. Within months they would be back to normal, accepting the new status quo, hopefully with a feww more benefits than they’d enjoyed previous.

“Your Majesty,” one of them, a particularly spindly man, spoke, “perhaps your image would improve with a queen at your side?”

Zala’Vas stopped moving, his long, colourful cloak coming to rest around his ankles. The other advisers, most of whom were old enough to know the reason for this stop, became deathly quiet. The one who had spoken, only a couple hundred years old, suddenly seemed fearful. The king took a breath, held it for a second, then released it. “You never knew Vhendra, did you?”

“I’m sorry,” the adviser said quietly.

“Do not fear,” he continued, “your suggestion is a good one.” He began walking again, but kept speaking, “This is a complex situation to navigate, but I’m open to the idea.”

“Yes, your majesty,” the adviser was silent for the remainder of the walk. Zala’Vas preferred not sitting still if he could help it, and often walked while discussing the more basic elements of his rule, saving the important things for the council chambers and the petitions from the commoners to his throne room. Eventually, the advisers were dismissed and the King of Twilight stood in front of a door, upon which he knocked three times.

[Deleted]

[googlefont=Roboto]

Holy water cannot help you now


See I've had to burn your kingdom down


no rivers and no lakes can put the fire out


I'm gonna raise the stakes


I'm gonna smoke you out

[music]https://audio.jukehost.co.uk/FrKYxZ6xna6CO59iJwluDZ0jj0wS9wE0[/music]

Another day, another traitor whom deserved punishment. The young huntress had been returning to the castle after cleaning the outskirts of the mainland of any remaining Midna sympathizers. Many were taken in for questioning as to her whereabouts. The lucky ones were killed on sight.

Cloaked in shadow, the amber eyed witch shrouded within the castle walls, walking with fervor to her chamber, satisfied from the hunt which she had invested a good amount of time in. Now, it was time to rest. She rested her arms against the pane of the window, looking out into the permanent sunset skies of the realm. 

Oh, the things she would do to those who opposed them... the high she felt from the pleading of the lesser. Their new empire was invincible. Taking this time to cleanse of her journey, she had let her hair fall down, stripping from her uniform and slipping into a more comfortable, yet generous gown which clung to her skin. This was always the hardest part of her job; coming back, feeling useless, unable to show her devotion by her deeds.

A knock on the door caught her by surprise as she narrowed her eyes. Humming in curiosity as to who would be interrupting her time off, she made no effort to conceal herself in modesty. This was her time to relax, and if they didn't want to intrude, they wouldn't have knocked in the first place.

She stepped forward, turning the door handle and pulling it quickly. "And who intends to interrupt me while I'm off duty?" she snapped, before her eyes went wide and she reeled back from the door. "Y-your majesty--forgive me, I was not expecting you," she dropped to the floor, lowering her head as she pressed her hands into the stone floor. "Is... there something you require?"

Zala'Vas

[Zala'Vas]

heavy is the head
that wears the crown

If there was anything more satisfying to Zala’Vas than successfully taking the throne, it was passion. He was excited to see a wildfire burning in the eyes of another, shaping it to his whim, and using them where they would do the most good for him. Vitani’s passion was deep and insatiable, passion not only for him, but for the cause in which they both believed. There was no tool at his disposal more dangerous or loyal than the huntress, and he made sure she was used as often as possible. Fortunately for them both, it took a lot to tire her out.

He took amusement in her shock and prostration upon recognising him, and a dark smile spread across his features as he stepped around her and into her quarters. He knew their game, as did she. After their acquisition of the castle, Zala’Vas had originally assigned her a different room, but given the progression of their relationship in the time since, he had moved her closer, where he could call on her whenever he had want.

It was only upon stopping in front of the window that he spoke. Most of his subjects, including his advisers, were surprised at how calm and friendly he came across, but with Vitani his voice was sharper, more commanding, and never without a hint of suggestion. “I trust today’s hunt didn’t leave you exhausted?”

[Deleted]

[googlefont=Roboto]

Holy water cannot help you now


See I've had to burn your kingdom down


no rivers and no lakes can put the fire out


I'm gonna raise the stakes


I'm gonna smoke you out

[music]https://audio.jukehost.co.uk/FrKYxZ6xna6CO59iJwluDZ0jj0wS9wE0[/music]

She couldn't say she expected this. While Zala was unpredictable to be sure, she never took him as the type to... knock. As he walked passed her, her body relaxed and she let out a small breath of relief. She attentively moved her back straight up, but stayed low, turning to face him with with a hunger in her eyes to please. 

What he had asked - could only mean one of two things, and although one was more enticing than the other... she couldn't say she didn't enjoy the alternative as well. "Of course, your majesty. What is it that you desire from me?" she raised a brow, a pressure of intense anxiety filled her chest as she desperately awaited his response.

If there was anything that Vitani loved more than dominating those weaker than her, it was Zala'vas. The same hunger in his eyes which burned cities to the ground. That overthrew the very seat of power right from under her. She felt overwhelmingly drawn to him, and wanted nothing more than to devote herself to him and his cause. She would die to allow for his dreams to flourish. 

It was a bit of a game - her submissive behavior to him - while she dominated the world around them, she was his and his only to subdue. It was like a high that she never could come down from. "I am yours to command," she spoke coyly, a smirk curling over her lips as she watched him carefully. 

Zala'Vas