Planet Xyloria: The Witches' Island

As the sun came up on the morning in Xyloria, Damian slept on the wrong side of the bed, that is to say, he was actually on the floor, in his sheets and everything, with a pounding headache in his head.

"Gah, not again," he groaned, rising and stumbling to stand. Glaring at his gold fluffy bed, he can see Umbra. His midnight fur glinting in the sun, happily sleeping and Fenrir, his blue eyes and grey fur regarding him.

Damian glared at the two of them, "You two are no use at all, you know that? Always hogging the bed." Growling out the last two words, he rubbed his temples to get his pounding headache to stop.

Throwing himself off the bed, he shuffles to his bathroom, splashing water on his face to wake him up.

Looking at himself in the mirror, he couldn't help but see the dark circles under his eyes and the tired face looking back. Sighing, he reached for a towel to dry himself off and began brushing his teeth.

Following the rushed bathroom ceremony, he made his way to his walk-in closet, swinging open the doors to a chaos of color and texture. Devoted to looking perfect despite his morning mishaps, he chose a white blouse with hanging ruffles and loose sleeves, combined with high-waisted black pants laced at the waist with corset-style straps. The smooth fabric slid elegantly down the sides of his legs, and he slipped on his favorite black ankle boots, their pointed toes assuring him that he was hurting for today.

With one last glance in the mirror to ensure every strand of his dark hair was perfectly coiffed, Damian headed out the door, ready to face whatever the day had in store.

Deciding against it, he chose not to bother Fenrir and Umbra. He just let them be and made his way downstairs.

As Damian made his way downstairs to the kitchen, where he was greeted by the warm and tantalizing smells of breakfast being prepared. 

As he stepped into the spacious kitchen, he saw his papa, moving in the kitchen with grace while he was cooking. 

"Morning papa." Damian said, smiling softly before plopping down on one of the barstools that surrounded the large island. Emrys, stopping at what he was doing and turning the isle on low, he turns around, smiling brightly.

"Good morning, my Nirthil." Emrys tilted his head, smiling at his son before it started drifting towards what was behind him. Seeing this, Damian turned around to see Aélius walking in, looking like he just got out of bed. 

"Do not get ready before coming down?" Aélius waved his hand towards Damian's direction, dismissing his question, before plopping down, face first, onto the beanbag that was in the corner of the kitchen.

"Look at him, Nirthil. Just pitiful."Emrys chuckled, before turning back to the stove, continuing to make breakfast. 

Damian giggled, shaking his head when Aélius lifted his head just a bit to glare at Emrys. Damian couldn't help but find amusement in the exchange, though part of him wondered what had Aélius in such a mood.

"What's wrong with you?"

You know, just thinking about what I will be saying to my kings about this planet and its people. 

"Just didn't sleep as much as I wanted to." That is what he chose to say. He wanted to tell them, he really did but he just couldn't. Not yet.

"Well take it easy, okay?" Emrys said, turning his body slightly so he could look at Aélius for a second before going back to cooking.

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. He did not just look at me like that. 

He wanted to scream. After he shifted so he could sit up before shuffling in his spot, crossing his legs.

Unfortunately, Emrys doesn't know what he's doing to Aélius. 

Damian, ever the observant, looked at Aélius with a slightly disgusted look, definitely judging him.

"Seriously, what's wrong with you?" Damian pressed, half concerned, half amused now.

Thinking of something to say, he just blurts out the first thing that comes out of his mouth. "You know, just thinking about my meeting with my kings. They are wondering what type of science they can portray here." Pausing, he looks at Emrys for a moment only to him already looking at him. 

"Of course if that is okay with you." Emrys raised a brow before shrugging his shoulders, not caring about science stuff. It bores him.

He nodded his head before turning back to Damian, "I just know after this meeting, I'm taking a good rest." Aélius chuckled lightly, hoping to convinces Damian that thats all thats going on.

Fortunately, luck was on his side because Damian gave him a nod as if he approved his answer before turning back to talk to his papa. 

Aélius couldn't help but internally sigh in relief. Before he can get lost in his thoughts, Emrys nudges Aélius with his foot to see him with two plates, walking to where Damian sat.

Setting one down in front of Damian and the other one in Aélius' hands once he turned around, he went to get his food.

"Papa," Damian said, breaking the silence, "What you been doing? You up early."

Emrys glanced up from his plate, his expression turning into a slight confusion before realizing what he asked. "Oh, well just looking over the plans about the schools Nirthil." 

Nodding his head, Damian took a bite of his food, humming in delight. "You should make it as an Ac-" He paused, shoveling another bite into his mouth.

Aélius chuckled, amused by the action. 

"An Ac?" Emrys prompted, leaning against the counter, making his hair fall in front of his face.

Ignoring how Aélius started blushing a little, Damian answered his question. "An academy. It's perfect for the children and teens here. Schools are fine but an academy will allow them more opportunities to learn about different subjects and we were talking about teaching them our tongue at a young age. It would be easier."

Hearing his son talk about this made him feel happy. "Where did you start thinking like this?"

Damian, hearing this question, looked up and titled his head, looking at his papa. "I'm just stating what you taught me."

"Enough talk about education," Aélius spoke up, not wanting Emrys to go into details anymore. 

Chuckling, Emrys stood up, grabbed Damian's plate as well as his own, and strutted to the sink, cleaning the dishes. "What about me?" Emrys didn't need to turn around to know that it was Aélius who said that.

"You got hands. Use them." Damian stifled a laugh but stopped abruptly when Aélius glared at him from the corner of his eye.

"I will be off first," Emrys said, wiping his hands on a towel before heading to the kitchen entrance. Of course, he went to Damian first, kissing him on the forehead and murmuring a 'be good' before going to Aélius and gives him a hug that lasted a little longer than they would like to admit before murmuring 'be good' to him as well.

Damian, seeing this, looked Aélius up and down before heading out as well.

Aélius looked towards where Damian left before groaning, banging his head on the counter.

---

As the hours went by, Emrys was exhausted. Staying in his office all day today to finish this project is a lot of work for him but he didn't wanted a kingdom so he must do the work that it comes with as well.

I can't wait until Damian is ready.

Is he planning his retirement only at the beginning of him being king? Yes, yes he is. He just wants to be able to relax and spend time in his bed. It's honestly a dream.

Right now he has his face on the desk, blueprints surrounding him.

The study was bathed in the warm glow of candlelight, flickering softly against the heavy wooden walls. Emrys sat up, tiredly rubbing his eyes and rolling his shoulders, trying to release some of the tension that had built up from hours of hunched-over work.

He reached for his cup of tea, wincing as the now-cold liquid hit his tongue. "What do you think, Basi?" Emrys murmured, running a hand through his long hair. The teen-horse-sized shadow unicorn stepped closer, nudging Emrys' hand before knocking the blueprints off the desk with his horn, looking up to stare at Emrys.

Emrys seeing this, raised a brow before scoffing. "That's not what I meant."

Basi neighed before laying down next to his chair, resting his head on his front hooves.

Bending down to get the blueprints, he cut himself midway due to a knock on the due. Emrys looked up, calling out "Come in!"

---

Aélius stood before his Kings, his figure sharp against the luminous blue of the hologram projection. The council chamber was dimly lit, the only source of light being the display casting a ghostly glow over the faces of his kings.

"Xyloria," Aélius began, his voice smooth but firm, "Have a lot of unknown species. They live in a vast and unexplored place with crystals everywhere. Houses are made out of crystals and when more shops come out, it's made of crystals as well."

A murmur ran through the Kings before him. King Qourisy spoke up, brow furrowed, "And what of the King?"

Aélius exhaled slowly. "He is…" he paused, searching for the right words, "A being of immense power." His voice softened slightly without even noticing but King Qiurisy did.

"Continue." 

Aélius looked up slightly, looking at the King's direction through the hologram before speaking again, "He built this Kingdom. He tells stories to the young about how he used his magic." He left the fact that his son, Damian, was a part of it. "He shows them what he can do and it's like no other my Kings."

The room fell into a tense silence as the Kings processed this new information. 

"What about his people?"

"They are… diverse. Different kinds and I do not know what they are. Like they came out of nowhere. He is also deeply invested in his people, particularly in this new endeavor of his. He seems to have a soft spot for his people and their education as well."

"Foolish," one of the Kings sneered. "Education makes them stronger. A liability for us."

Aélius's jaw tightened. He despised them. He loath them. But he tolerates them for his mother. He has to or that's her life.

He wanted to sneer at him back, to tell him to fuck off, but all he did was nod. "Perhaps. But it also means his focus is divided. If we are to say, strike, we would have an advantage."

---

Standing up from his sqauting position with the blueprints in his hands. He made his way to his desk to spread out the blueprints and just when he put them down, his double doors finally open, reavealing ten unknown beings. 

Four out of the ten looked similar, perhaps siblings, with tri-color pale skin, slitted eyes, and tails made of icy-hot. 

Emrys found out that when he created his people, they were made all around Xyloria and homes came to be where the beings were created these four, he can confidently say, they were created near the deep caves, with the icy-hot tails giving it away.

The other six were a mix of different beings. Some had flames dancing on their skin, others had large wings on their backs, and a few had thorns for hair.

Emrys smiled. "Welcome, come in." Coming in, the ten sat spread out on the sofas that were in front of his desks.

"So you guys were the only ones to finish training." Emrys said as he snapped his fingers, fresh tea and hot cocoa appearing in front of them. 

Since the beginning, he knew that one day, there would be someone to come for him, to come for his kingdom and so he had his shadows to start training people. People who volunteer knowing what could and could not happen.

These ten were the only ones who passed their training. They don't know it yet but they will be the ones to come to his aid when the time comes. He even made them special weapons in case of an emergency.

"I believe names are in order?"

The four with the tri color pale skin and icy hot tails went first, "I'm Alyx, this is Elizo, A'ariyo, and E'aria."

Cutting his eyes to the next, he noticed that they were a set of twins. Both have flamed hair with dark markings. The one with red flamed hair spoke first. "Pyraz-" "And I'm Zaya." The one with the black flamed hair finished. 

The next one had fluffy wings with, what looked like, stars lingering a bit in them. "I'm Aeris." He can see Aeris reaching over to hold hands with the one with spikey wings that had little moons lingering on them. "I'm Lumin."

Flipping her long hair, the one that has thorns and roses mended with her hair but yet looks so elegant and beautiful, spoke up next, "Roseoura." And lastly, the timid human-like being, " I'm Sylv'Xya"

Looking around, Emrys smiled. "Welcome and congratulations on becoming guards." Getting up from his chair, they can now see Basi, who is still lying down.

"But," Emrys walked over to where Sylv'Xya sat and plopped right next to him. "You still have much to learn. They taught you the basics but I am here to teach to be district. To be ruthless when needed. And to be the stone cold when those who try to take what is ours."

Emrys lifted one of his legs to drape it over his other leg before leaning back, hand resting behind Sylv'Xya's head.

"Four out of you guys will be mine and my son's guards. The others?" He narrowed his eyes at every one of them before continuing. "You guy will gaurd the front and back. There will be rooms for the people who will be guarding the front and back. Think of it as a small home or as I like to call it, a studio apartment." Looking around, he sees confusion on their faces which only made Emrys chuckled softly.

"You guys wouldn't know what that is. I have two in mind for my personal gaurds." Turning to the side, he looks at Sylv"Xya, who shuffle awkwardly, his crystal dust like freckles shining truly elegnantly on his face which caused a blush to spread across Alyx face.

"You," Emrys lifted his finger slightly, pointing at Sylv'Xya. "are one of them." Sylv'Xya blushed before looking down, not expecting that.

"And the other would be you." Being the matchmaker he is, he pointed at Alyx, who of course, blushed even more.

"Now!" Emrys clapped abrutly causing them to jump slightly. "The two for my Nirthil will be… you two." He pointed at the wing sets, Aeris and Lumin, their eyes widened slightly in shock. 

"I won't be able to talk to you guys at this moment but I will want reports from time to time if everything is going smoothly or not. Aeris and Lumin, you guys will not be reporting to me. Instead, you will report to Damian, my son. He will be your new boss." Letting out a sigh, he rotated his legs so the other one was now drap over the other leg.

"Everyone understand?" When he received nods, he nodded his head. "Good. Now, today, you have the rest of the day off but tomorrow you guys start your job. Aeris and Lumin, report to Damian before heading to your room and you four will be separated into two teams. One in the front and the other two in the back. Basi will show you where to go and he will also decide which two of you will have the front and which two will be in the back."

Hearing his name, he neighs tiredly before stretching while getting up. Looking up at the new guards, he snorts at them, strutting to the double doors. 

"Sylv'Xya and Alyx stay behind. Mini guidebooks will be in your rooms. I advise you guys to read it." With that, Basi walked out with the others following him except for Sylv'Xya and Alyx.

"Alright, you two." With a heavy sigh, he sat in his chair behind his desk, gesturing for them to sit in front of him, with them doing so. "Let's talk."

Looking up, the two see his royal purple colored eyes glowing with his white long hair casting over his face. "I picked you two because of what both of y'all are trying to hide." Tilting his head, he snapped his fingers twice before sparks surrounding the two.

A swirl of magic came to be, surrounding Sylv'Xya and Alyx. You can see the swirl of magic slowly being absorbed by th two. 

"I've seen what you guys can do and to keep it short. You guys are witches. Or warlocks if you want to be specific. Knowing this, I will teach you guys, push you guys, even more to hone your powers." 

Looking at the two, he can see them glancing at each other with a mixture of uncertainty and shock.

"You guys will be sharing a house. A house that is built right next to my room. It will be connected but you can't go in unless I want you to so remember that. Only time is if I am in danger. No matter how little it is." He saw that Sylv'Xya was about to protest but Emrys cut him off before he can.

"Inside the house, there are spell books. Practice them as much as you can. You two are young and your power is raw. I can feel it. And that can be both good and bad. Let us not make it bad." 

The two sat there in silence, processing everything that had been said and of course, being overwhelmed. "Any questions?" When they shook their heads, he smiled warmly. "Go through those doors and it will lead you outside, your house will be there. Just know, you guys are living like this because of your powers and powers alone.

And a little bit of matchmaking. But he is not going to tell them that.

"You guys may go." And with that, he was alone once more.

But it didn't last long because, after a few minutes, he heard another knock at his door. Sighing heavily, he leaned back in his chair, getting ready to have another conversation. "Come in!"

Stepping inside, Aélius found Emrys with his eyes closed, leaning back in his chair with his head rested back. Overall, he looks stressed out and looks good but he never comments on it.

Quietly, he closes the door behind him and walks over to the chair across from Emrys' desk, sitting down.

"You're working late," Aélius finally said, putting his legs on the desk.

Emrys looked at Aélius, a brief flicker of surprise crossing his face before he offered a tired smile. "Of course. I have to finish this. Especially since I'm almost done now. Can't call it 'working late' since my sleep schedule is all over the place."

Aélius studied him, the passion in his voice yet also tiredness. The unwavering determination in his royal purple eyes. It was… captivating. He hadn't meant to look at him longer than needed but he just couldn't help himself. 

Clearing his throat, he took his feet off the desk before getting up and walking over to where Emrys was. His tall muscular build hovers over Emrys as he sits slightly in front of him on top of his desk.

"Like you said you're almost done. You should take a break and then you can finish this." Emrys looked up, his purple eyes glinsting in the light, searching Aélius ocean blue eyes. 

"Your eyes," Emrys started, "it changes color." That came out of nowhere and Aélius shows it by laughing softly at it. 

"What?"

"Your eyes." Emrys got up, only to stand in front of Aélius, looking up to stare at his eyes. "Yesterday it was grey. Now, it is blue."

Aélius licked his lips, looking briefly down before meeting Emrys eyes once more. "I can't control the change color." It came out in a husky tone which only made him clear his throat. 

"My mom said I got it from my father. Whatever species he was, is very special. At least, thats what my mom says."

Emrys, now head tilted, looks absolutely fascinated by it. "I bet he was a good father." Aélius looked at Emrys for a moment, just staring at him, before he nodded his head softly, agreeing with what he said.

"Yeah, he was. I think. Thats what my mom says otherwise. He passed when I was really young." Emrys places a hand on his arm, squeezing it as a form of comfort. 

Looking at the hand, he can feel and see Emrys still squeezing his arm. Turning his head around, he looked at Emrys to only see him looking at him already. Aélius saw him look down which made him lick his lips.

The tension in air shifted as the two look at each other. He noticed just how near Emrys's lips were to his own. A heartbeat of silence strectched between them, heavy, waiting.

And then-

A sharp chittering sound broke the moment, and Basi strutted right inside, dropping down between them once there.

Emrys cleared his throat, stepping back abruptly, his hand tightening around the sleeve of Aélius shirt, before letting go. "I should- I need to finalize these reports."

Aélius didn't move, watching as Emrys composed himself, nodded once, and turned on his heel. The door shut behind him with a soft click, leaving Aélius alone with a tired Basi.

A breath escaped him, shaky, unsteady.

This was dangerous. Whatever this was, whatever was growing between them, it was dangerous. And yet-

He ran a hand down his face, exhaling slowly.

Gods help him, he wasn't sure he stop it now.