Apocalypse: Fairy System by Macronomicon (fox in socks read aloud txt) 📕

those humans on the broadcasts are anything to go by, they’re the most succulent thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

“No, father.”

“Damn you to the mangled space of the Roil! I want to eat!”

The former emperor’s curses devolved into howls a living being couldn’t hope to match.

Pikaku wanted to rub the aching corners of his beak, but he was being watched by his guard, so he straightened his spine and marched out into the sunlight while they closed the heavy stone doors of the crypt, sealing his father back in his grave.

“Four hours of lucidity, as promised,” the priestess said, bowing low.

“The emperor appreciates your assistance in this matter,” he said, nodding. “When will you be ready to calm him again?”

She winced. “Two weeks, my lord. He is very strong.”

“Do not harm your Core in haste. The emperor is patient.” Pikaku nodded, then prowled away, every inch the proud emperor. Nobody knew he’d spent all but the last few minutes playing human games with his father, rather than discussing important matters of state.

And if they did know, they kept their mouths shut.

As he walked, his secretary hustled up beside him, clutching a messy stack of papers to her chest.

“Emperor, King Jose of the Fiery Mountains wants a meeting to discuss the taxation of the villages damaged by flash-fires, and Gurand of Lee seeks your approval for the dispensation of funds to their dam.”

“I’ll Summon them personally.”

“There’s been damage in the imperial academy. Two children defaced a statue of your grandfather during a Myst battle.”

Pikaku grunted and waved it off. “Five lashes, and have them fix it.” He didn’t really care, but the institution cared—or at least, needed to be perceived as caring.

“Yes, my lord.”

“You’ve also got a slurry of letters,” she said, the smaller female half-jogging to keep up with his ground-eating pace.

“Oh, and the Courvars had some input about your visit to Solmnath. They said you might be interested.”

Pikaku nodded silently, marching to his throne that sat in the great hall of his grandfather, created by the greatest artisans of the age. He felt the weight of authority settle around his shoulders with every step he took up the short staircase that held the throne above all others.

Finally he settled down, and leaned back in the throne. He reached inside and tugged on the gnarled web of Venaxus, pulling a single strand out of his Core and giving it a voice. It only took a little bit of Myst, since they were already in the city.

“Amanda and Brett Courvar.”

The side door to the throne hall creaked open.

“You’re sure we’re not lost?” Brett asked his wife as the hairless apes stumbled into the throne room.

“I don’t know. We must’ve gotten turned around some—” Amanda put a hand on her husband’s shoulder, staring at the emperor.

Swiftly, Pikaku’s new aristocrats dropped into perfect bows. They’d been practicing their etiquette.

“You may rise,” Pikaku said, waving his hand gently, calculating every move to be as neutral as possible.

“We’re sorry for, umm, wandering into your throne room,” Brett said with a frown, craning his neck behind him, studying their path in disbelief.

“It is I who should apologize for your confusion. I Summoned you, and you came. If you find yourself before me, it is very likely that I wish to speak to you,” Pikaku said. “Remember that.”

Pikaku’s Myst Ability was to tug on Venaxus’s web and alter fate so that those who he named wound up in front of him. It was a power suited for an emperor. None could hide from him or his justice. The only limiting factor was the amount of coincidence that was required to bring a person to him, and his own familiarity with the subject.

“You’ve been doing good work for the empire, adapting humans to their new circumstances, and for that, I am grateful. You said you had something to say about my visit to Solmnath?” Pikaku asked.

“Yes, um…” Amanda tugged a letter out of her pocket. “Can I just…give this to you?”

Pikaku allowed himself a small head-waggle, and crooked a finger, motioning her to come forward.

The sickly-looking human half-jogged up to the throne and placed the letter in his hand before backing off.

“Interesting,” Pikaku muttered, scanning the letter. “Is this the same Jebediah Trapper who led you through the Impossible Tutorial?”

The two humans nodded. “We think so.”

“Well, my friends, you may be receiving land to accompany your titles sooner than I expected. The optics of this would work best if my humans were to execute punishment for this malfeasance on my behalf.”

Pikaku leaned forward in his throne, looking down at the featherless creatures. “Tell me, are you willing to kill in cold blood for the empire?”

The two humans were silent, the man deferring to his wife.

“The idea makes me want to throw up… But, if these people did what it says in the letter, then yes.” She swallowed loudly. “Yes, we’ll kill them.”

But just in case, let’s bring one human we know will follow through, Pikaku thought, leaning back in the throne and tapping his claws against the armrest. Generations of emperors had worn a groove in the gold.

“Excellent. Stay here until I am done so that we may discuss travel plans.”

“Yes, my lord,” the two said, bowing.

Pikaku reached into his Core and drew out a fine thread.

“Gurand of Lee.”

“I tell you it can’t wait any longer!” the large Brovis man shouted, shaking Pikaku’s frazzled secretary off of his leg as he stormed into the throne room at that very moment.

Amanda and Brett glanced back and forth between Pikaku and Gurand with the strange human expression of confusion that wrinkled up their eyebrows and tugged at their lips.

Heedless of the humans, the northern barbarian marched up to the throne, stopping just shy of