Loose sand blew through the dirt roads of the small village. Wooden buildings creaked and groaned in the wind. Through the sand stepped a man. Brown trench cloak billowing through the wind, A large brimmed hat on his head, and square sunglasses over his eyes. At his hip was a revolver in a holster, and slung across his back was a four-barreled blunderbuss. In his boot, he kept a dagger and a sword on his other hip. An older man, in his mid 50’s, sporting a graying beard and long gray hair around his neck. A pipe hung lazily from the corner of his mouth, spewing smoke into the air and from his nostrils. He stopped at a particularly lavish home, looking up at the windows which were plastered over with parchment. Taking the pipe out of his mouth, he spat on the ground and emptied the tobacco onto the ground, putting it back into his coat pocket. 

A younger man stood guard by the front door. He was a sleazy, skinny stick of a person with slick black hair, and a sword at his hip. “That’s close enough!” He shouted as the older man set one foot on the step. He looked up at him, eyes hidden behind his sunglasses. “Hang on… Xavier Loupe?” his eyes narrowed. There was no time to react as he went for the sword at his hip, Xavier lunged at him, laying a fist into his throat and then his stomach. After that, he kicked up between his legs. As the man doubled over in pain, Xavier stomped on his head with his thick leather boot and turned him over. In a daze, the guard stared back up at him. 

“Tell me,” Xavier said in a gruff and gravelly voice. “Who’s your thrall, boy?” When the young man didn’t respond, Xavier kicked him in the ribs. “Say that you’re mine, boy!”

Smoke filled the dingy basement, lit only by a lantern in the middle of the room. Around the table sat two men and two women, all in fancy tailored suits, playing cards. “Marlene, 12,” one of the men said, pushing a piece of parchment over. Everyone looked at each other. One of the women pulled a cigarette holder out of her mouth and blew a smoke ring. 

“Abel, 10,” she said. The other man shifted uncomfortably, looking down at his cards and biting his lip. 

“Lorraine, 16,” he said, and everyone looked at him. 

“Too much,” The woman said, biting down on her cigarette holder. “I suppose I could use it though, let’s play.” Everyone stopped and looked up at the ceiling. The sounds of heavy footsteps began to play on the floor above them. After that, they heard one single gunshot. All of them looked at each other, hearing the sounds of fighting. The woman puffed at her cigarette and raised her eyebrow. A man stood up, pulling a small dagger from his coat pocket and moving toward the door. Everything went silent, and they listened as many footfalls came shuffling down the basement stairs. The door opened slowly, and someone shambled into the room. The man leaped forward and thrust the dagger deep into his back. He was taken aback, however, when he saw the walking corpse turn around and let out a low moan, before falling over. There was a moment before the man turned around to face the door. 

The door was instantly kicked open, and Xavier rushed in, pointing his revolver at the man’s head and pulling the trigger. His head popped like a balloon and his body fell to the floor. Screams and shouts rang out through the dingy basement. Xavier fired another revolver shot which bore its way into the breast of one of the women, who fell back over her chair and started to bleed out on the floor. One of the men turned the table over and both he and the other woman hid behind it. From his back, Xavier pulled the blunderbuss out. He fired two shots at once, shooting a large gaping hole into the table, and splitting it in two. The woman was hit in the head and fell over, the man in the shoulder. He screamed and writhed on the ground as he began to bleed. Heavy boots thunked their way over to him. “Get your mouth around this,” Xavier said, shoving the other two barrels of the blunderbuss into the man’s mouth. Without hesitating he fired, sending brains splattering across the flood. 

Xavier opened his blunderbuss, smoke, and shells spewing out of it. He reloaded, placing four more shells into the empty holes, and shutting it again with a click. After that, he slung it back over his shoulder, put his revolver away, and spit on one of the corpses. There was a door in the back of the room which he stepped over to, opening it with a creak. Inside was a better-lit room, cages lining the wall. Xavier walked in and examined the contents. Each of the cages had a child inside and was labeled on the bottom. ‘Abel, 10. Lorraine, 16. Marlene, 12. Noel, 13. Rebecca, 8.’ Xavier grunted and pulled his revolver out. With five quick shots, he burst the locks of each of the cages. “Go home,” he said to all of them. “If you have one, that is.” 

Slowly and hesitantly, the children crawled out of their cages. Most of them rushed past Xavier out of fear. One, the youngest, stopped just at his legs and looked up at him. Xavier looked down at her. “What?” He said. The little girl stared up at him for a bit longer and then hugged his thigh. “Stop,” Xavier said. “Get off of me,” he tried to shake her off but she held on tight. 

“Will you adopt me?” The little girl asked. 

“No.” 

“I’d be a good daughter! I’ll do all my chores!” 

“I don’t need a daughter,” Xavier grunted. 

“Please?”

Xavier looked down at her. He sighed, and reached down, picking her up. “I’m taking you to the orphanage,” he said, carrying her out of the dingy basement. Xavier stepped over a few bodies as he made his way to the front door, the child in one arm. “What is your name?” he asked. 

“Rebecca,” she answered. “Those men and women-”

“I know what they were doing,” Xavier growled. “Makes me sick. Fucking pieces of shit,” he spat on the ground. 

“What’s fucking?” The little girl asked. Xavier looked at her and sighed. 

“How sweet!” A sudden voice came from nowhere. Xavier turned, hand on his revolver. A cloaked woman was standing just in front of him, face obscured by a hood. “Congratulations! Showing your kid the ropes, huh?” 

“What do you want?” Xavier growled. Rebecca looked a little frightened and hid her face in his shoulder. The woman removed her hood and gave Xavier a warm smile. “M-Ms. Anois!” He said, giving a small bow. “Had I known it were you-”

“Save it, you don’t have to explain yourself,” Allura held up a hand. “I’m glad to see you’re still in business.” Xavier gave her a shrug and holstered his revolver. “Look, I will be frank. I have a job for you.”

…

Magnus laced up one of his boots, making sure it was as tight as he could make it. Marella sat on the windowsill, staring forlornly out across the city of Anoisn. She brought a glass of wine to her mouth and took a long drink. With a swift movement, Magnus slung a rucksack over his back. Along his back as well were the two halves of Snaggletooth. Slowly and awkwardly, he made his way over to Marella. She looked away from him, sighing and continuing to stare blankly. “Marella,” he said softly, reaching for her. He thought better of it, however, and pulled his hand back. “I know this will be hard. But I can’t put you in danger. She’ll come after me.”

“Just go,” Marella said. “Two men in two days. What a joke…” She downed the rest of her wine and threw the glass out the window. It sailed through the air for a couple of seconds, and then shattered on the road below. 

“I’ll be back, Marella. I promise. I’ll be back to raise our daughter.” She didn’t answer. Magnus sighed, and turned around, making for the door to their bedroom. Before he could get to the front door, he stopped and rested his head against it. Shutting his eyes tight, he let tears begin to stream down his cheeks. “I’m sorry…” he said. He wished he could stay, he really did. But he imagined the Empress’ women breaking into their house and murdering him in front of his wife and child. He imagined them burning the house from within, torching his entire family, feeling his skin melting off, but watching his wife burn alive and feeling worse. His fist enclosed around the doorknob and opened it. 

Drake rose from the green sludge as he heard the door open. Magnus stepped inside the room to greet him, a backpack over his shoulder, a cloak obscuring most of his face. “Brother,” Drake said, regarding him. 

“I’m going to get your heart back,” Magnus wasted no time in cutting to the chase. “I’m sneaking into the castle. After that, I’m going to disappear for a while. I’m going to grow your heart, and come back to witness the birth of my daughter.” There was a long silence, Drake thought about these revelations. 

“What of me?” Drake finally asked. “I cannot leave the cauldron. What if something happens to me?” 

“I can’t bring you with, Drake,” Magnus sighed. “You are too heavy to carry. I’ll reinforce the doors and windows, no one knows you're here. The one who did is dead.”

“You don’t know that! He could have told anyone!” Drake argued, fear gripping his hollow chest. 

“Enough!” Magnus said. “I have to go! I’m putting my family in more danger every second I stay! That filth Lucillo died of his wounds in an alley!” He huffed and sighed, thinking. “Drake… I love you, okay? I’m coming back for you, 9 months.” Drake didn’t answer and instead sunk back into the green fluid. Magnus sighed, and left, ascending the stairs to the ground floor.

After boarding up each window, locking each door, and nailing them shut, Magnus made his way to Castle Anois. The tall castle on the hill loomed over him forebodingly. He made his way through the streets, trying to keep his face obscured. He knew it wouldn’t do much good, however. He was a burly, seven-foot-tall man, he was hard to miss. How he would sneak into this palace was a mystery, but he had to. He needed to get his brother’s heart and body back. The front gates were out of the question. Perhaps he could scale a wall. He weaved his way through many streets and alleys before he was around the back of the large building, and then he closed in on it. Finally, he was at the wall, which extended up many meters, nearly grazing the sky, or at least that's how it looked. Most of the bricks were out of place, and some were worn. Magnus reckoned that he could climb it. He rubbed both of his hands together and latched on. 

His knuckles were white when he reached the halfway point. There was no going back now. His fingers hurt, and his arms ached, but he had to keep going. He had to get that heart, and he couldn’t be seen doing it. He didn’t want to kill anyone, but if anyone got in his way he may have to. Finally, after half an hour of climbing, he reached the top. Magnus fell over on his back onto the solid brick ground, and let out a breath. He stayed for a few minutes to collect himself and catch his breath, and then stood up slowly. Where could the heart be? Was there a garden that they hid it in? He would start there. As slowly and carefully as he could, he made his way down some nearby stairs, descending a few flights until he entered a courtyard. There was no one around who was looking in his direction, but that could change at any second. So, Magnus made sure you crouch behind every bush and hedge that he could. 

He was lucky enough to avoid a woman walking through the courtyard, seeing her before she saw him. It had to be here somewhere. He scoured the entire place, looking at each bush, each plot of land. It was no use, it could be anywhere! And then he thought. If Lucillo had gotten to the castle, he may have put it in his quarters. Lucillo was a servant of Anois, so Magnus began to make his way into the castle. He had to get to the servant's quarters.

… 

The servants were bustling, getting ready for the return of the Empress. There was going to be a great feast on her return, after her sudden journey. Lucillo, the head servant, was nowhere to be found. So Gertrude, the second head, took his place. She ran her fingers through her hair as many of the cooks bustled around her. Where was that man?! She stormed from the kitchen after that, this was not supposed to be her job. Just as she left the kitchen, she slammed into a man who towered above her. “Who are you?!” She demanded, looking up at him. 

“Uh…” the man trailed off. “I’m… s-starting today!” She eyed him up and down. 

“Well, go and get changed, and,” she looked back toward the kitchen as she heard glass breaking and people shouting. “Can you please go to Lucillo’s quarters and see if he is in there?! Take the master key and unlock it if you must. I just… can’t handle this right now! Down the hall, to the left.” Gertrude shoved a key into Magnus’ palm and then stormed back into the kitchen to yell at whoever had just dropped the platter of cranberry scones. That was easy, Magnus thought as he looked down at the key in the palm of his hand. He made his way down the hallway and found the door on the left. 

Magnus shoved the key into the lock and turned it. The latch clunked open, and the door swung open, revealing a nice-looking room. Nicer than any servant’s quarters he had ever seen. When he stepped in he immediately began to tear the place apart. Time was of the essence, and he knew that soon the head servant would find him out. He opened closets, and drawers, and overturned the bed and the desk and the mattress. The pot was nowhere to be found. Magnus cursed and put his head in his hand in thought. Where could it be? He twisted and strained his mind to think. And then it came to him. What if Lucillo had gotten to the castle and gone straight to his sister? What if he gave Allura, the Empress, the pot? Magnus looked down at the key in his hand. Could this open her quarters? It was a risk, but a risk he had to take. 

“Did you-” Gertrude poked her head into the door and then gasped. “This place is a wreck!” she said. 

“When he didn’t answer, I keyed in,” Magnus said. “I’m not sure what happened here,” he lied through his teeth, and Gertrude sighed. 

“I’ll inform the lady when she returns,” Gertrude said. 

“Returns?” Magnus asked. Gertrude looked at him. 

“She is out at the moment,” she said. “But she will be back this evening. Enough questions, get changed, and get to work!” Gertrude turned and stormed out again. Magnus pocketed the key, she forgot about it. He thought he knew where the Empress’ quarters might be. He may not get another chance. It matched up perfectly, it may have been destiny. She was out and he was here.

… 

“Wine, dear?” Allura said as the carriage wandered lazily down the road, shaking a bit. Xavier sat across from her, looking at her intently. He nodded and lifted a goblet. Allura filled it slowly with deep red wine, smiling at him. 

“I want some!” Rebecca said, who was sitting next to Xavier. 

“No you don’t,” Xavier grumbled back. “When you’re older.” He had tried to bring Rebecca to the orphanage. But after seeing the horrible conditions of the building, and the way they treated the kids, he decided against it. Now he was stuck with this little girl until he could find her a better family. “So, this job,” Xavier said, taking a sip of wine and then setting the glass down. He slapped Rebecca’s hand away as she reached for it. “You’ve told me nothing yet. What is it?” 

“You were around for the last empire, ten years ago?” Allura said. “I was only eighteen at the time, only a princess.” She chuckled and sipped at her own wine. 

“Mm,” Xavier responded, nodding in her direction. “Under the rule of Magnus Evanteus, I remember well.” Allura talked as if she knew nothing about it. She orchestrated the entire rebellion against Magnus. In fact, Xavier was the one who helped her kill the Endling.

“Well, what if I told you,” Allura started. “That there was a likelihood of Magnus Evanteus still living?” 

“I would say you’re either insane or bullshitting,” Xavier said casually, taking another sip. “But I assume there’s an explanation to that?” 

“My brother claimed this was true,” Allura said. “I did not believe him at first, but he brought a pot to the palace with him. Apparently, Magnus Evanteus is alive under a different visage, and is reviving his brother through magical means.”

“Drake?” Xavier asked. Allura nodded. “And the pot?” 

“His heart, if you can believe it,” Allura replied. “Right now it’s safe in my quarters at the palace. But if this is true, if Magnus Evanteus is still alive, he poses a great threat to the Empire and all her people.” Allura took a moment to look out the window and watch the land pass lazily by. “You’re one of the best hunters I know, Xavier. I can’t go to anyone else. Name your price.” Xavier downed the rest of his wine and looked down at Rebecca. He put a hand down on her head and ruffled her hair. 

“I want a good home for this one,” He said. “And I don’t wanna work another day in my life. I’m getting too old for this kind of thing, Allura.” 

“Done!” Allura said. “Are you planning on adopting the girl?” 

“I wanna be adopted!” Rebecca said gleefully, smiling a big toothy grin with one tooth missing. 

“I’m sure you would!” Allura said with a grin. “I’m sure Daddy Xavier would love to adopt you!”

“Don’t call me Daddy,” Xavier said. “And don’t encourage her! She needs a good family, not some old piece of shit like me.” Allura put her hands up and raised her eyebrows in defeat. 

“Just find him, okay? You’ll get whatever you want,” Allura said. “If he’s not still in the city, he must be somewhere close by. First, find his brother, let me work my way with him, I’m sure we’ll figure something out.” Allura went back to staring out the window, and Xavier said nothing. 

…

Magnus opened the door to Allura’s quarters, slowly entering. There was no one guarding the hallway thankfully, at least no one he saw. The room was immaculate, with a large master bed, adorned with red curtains. It was huge, larger than his royal bedroom. Magnus didn’t have time to think about this, however, as he had to look for the pot. This time, he made sure not to misplace anything. He looked around the whole room, opening cupboards and drawers, and searching through desks. Finally, he found it, opening her closet and looking through her many dresses and suits, the pot showed itself behind them all. Magnus scooped it up and opened his rucksack to put it in. The door opened after that, however, and Magnus froze up as a blond-haired guard stepped in. 

“What are you doing?!” The guard said, going for his sword. Magnus put the backpack over his shoulder and sighed. 

“Look, I don’t want to hurt you,” Magnus said as calmly as he could. “The Empress had something that belonged to me. I will be on my way.” 

“Don’t take another step!” Jacob shouted, pulling his sword from its sheath and pointing it in his direction. Magnus sighed. 

“You think this wise? You’re still so young,” he said. “Take my advice; go home. The Empress will milk you for everything you are worth. Don’t lay down your life defending someone who only wishes to use you.”

“I won’t listen to this any longer!” Jacob lunged at Magnus, who immediately pulled Snaggletooth’s lower half from behind him and brought it down toward Jacob. Jacob raised his sword, and both of them collided. Snaggletooth dwarfed Jacob’s sword by at least ten times. He put his hand up against the sharp end to hold it steady, and blood began to trickle down from his palm.

“You’re not going to stop, are you?” Magnus said with tired eyes. Jacob shook his head. 

“Never!” He said. “I will always protect My Lady Empress to the death!” Magnus let out a breath and then raised the sword again. When he brought Snaggletooth back down, it broke right through Jacob’s thin steel blade and embedded itself into his shoulder. He was wearing so little armor that it ate right through his flesh. “Ah!” Jacob winced. He reached up for Magnus’ face, trying to stick his thumb into his eye. Angrily, Magnus tugged the blade from his shoulder and swung at his head. It was over as quickly as it started. Jacob’s head rolled across the floor, spraying blood everywhere. His headless body fell to its knees and then tumbled over. 

“I’m sorry,” Magnus said to no one, putting Snaggletooth away. “You left me no choice, boy.” Magnus walked over to the window, looking down to the ground many meters below. He had to get out and fast. Reaching into his backpack, and past the pot, he rummaged around until he found some rope. It would have to do.

… 

The carriage stopped just before sundown in front of the palace gates. A trumpet sounded as Allura stepped out with Xavier and Rebecca, announcing her arrival. A troupe of guards emerged to escort her inside. They looked a little uneasy at the sight of Xavier. He was an intimidating presence and said very little. He had only visited the palace once or twice during the time of Anoisn rule. Sophie was at the open gate, waiting to meet her. “This should be good,” Allura growled to Xavier. 

“My Lady Empress!” Sophie stood at the ready when they reached the gate. “We erm-”

“Have a situation?” Allura finished. “Can it wait until we have finished eating? I am starved after the ride home!” 

“Well, the castle was broken into despite our security measures a few hours ago…” Sophie trailed off. “Jacob was killed, My Lady.” 

Her entire demeanor changed, and her eyes widened. Her Jacob? In her own castle? She turned to Xavier and Rebecca, with a dark glare in her red eyes. “We will speak more later,” she said slowly and softly. “In the meantime please enjoy yourselves at the dinner table.” Xavier shrugged, and let the guards lead him and Rebecca inside. “Take me to him!” Allura demanded Sophie.

She fell to her knees at his headless body, trembling as she took it into her arms. His skin was pale and faded, and in his left hand, he grasped a broken sword. “Magnus…” Allura said. “You have signed your own death warrant,” after mourning a little bit more, she sprung up. “The pot!” She said, frantically rushing over to her closet and tearing through it. It was nowhere to be found. “Shit!” She yelled, kicking the closet and growling to herself. She looked down at Jacob’s body, and his head on its side near it. Why was she worried? Why was she upset? She had a solution. She looked to Sophie, who stood in the doorway trying not to look. “Be a dear and shut the door, Sophie,” Allura said. Sophie nodded and stepped into the room, shutting the door behind her. “You have been so loyal these past few years,” Allura said, smiling warmly. 

“I would do anything for you, My Lady,” Sophie said. Allura chuckled, she should choose her words more carefully. 

“You are relieved of duty, my dear,” Allura rested both her hands on Sophie’s neck. Sophie looked confused but didn’t have much time to think about it as Allura dug her nails into her neck. Sophie opened her mouth to cry out, but Allura crushed her neck in her hands, sucking her blood from her body. “Give Mommy your blood, dear,” Allura said, pulling her hands away and letting thick streams of blood enter her nails. Sophie fell over, convulsing and trembling as Allura watched the life leave her eyes. After she had drained her completely, she walked over and picked up Jacob’s head. She slowly and gingerly stroked his blond hair. “Do not worry, my love,” Allura said, stroking his head. “I will bring you back. A life for a life.”