A golden Rose withering

Roses & Kaenriah

Aether was quietly brushing his golden hair, he stared at his reflection, his eyes kept wandering to the yellow roses on his desk that kept dying; always fading into a slight red and drooping down. The gardener that takes care of the flowers said words to him that stuck in his head.

Aether got irritated that the golden flowers on his desk kept dying, he went to a certain white haired gardener he met once, and ordered her to "Save these Roses that keeps on dying" The gardener surprisingly wasn't at all scared by the prince, she promptly finished the order given by Aether, and the roses came into full bloom once again.

Few weeks later, the roses almost died once again. Aether, very displeased with the roses, almost threw them out but just gave the roses another chance to live. After that Aether gave the roses to the white haired gardener, he asked the gardener Why this kept happening, he expected the Gardener to give him a detailed explanation why, but all she said was.

"Flowers don't bloom if they're not in the proper environment, they will keep dying and will only survive by care, and survival."

The gardener's words stuck in his head, he didn't understand why. He didn't need to know why. He just continued on with his day, with the same words stuck on his head on repeat.

"Flowers don't bloom if they're not in the proper environment, they will keep dying and will only survive by care, and survival."

"Red roses don't bloom if their in the proper environment, they will keep dying and will only survive by care, and survival."

"Golden roses don't bloom if their not in the proper home, they will keep dying and will only survive by care, and survival."

But those thoughts went away like a wisp in the wind after hearing his mother calling him to the throne room.

He quietly made his way into the throne room, his mother calling out to him. "Aether, I have a duty for you."

Aether began smiling, Asmodas felt a chill run down her spine seeing Aether's sinister smile.

"The duty is..."

Aether's smile grew, anticipating the answer he needed.

"Destroy Kaenriah."

Aether's sinister smile is now a pleasant smile, his quick change of moods alarmed Asmodas, she understood Aether very well. There was something behind the curtains he was planning, but she didn't need to pry. She had a feeling that it had nothing to do with Celestia.

"Mother." Aether's voice snapped Asmodas out of her thoughts, she turned to look at Aether.

Aether closed his eyes as he smiled at her. "I need to meet the archons." He opened his eyes, a devilish glint evident in his eyes.

Asmodas knew what Aether was thinking, Stood up from her throne then proceeded to leave the throne room. Right when she was at the door "I will prepare the Archons, few months after this meeting the destruction of kaenriah will go as planned, Understood?"

Aether turned his back to face his mother. "Of course Mother." Aether's small smile was left unnoticed by Asmodas, who left almost immediately after hearing his reply.

chuckling echoed throughout the throne room after Asmodas left.

Aether stared at the 8 gods in front of him, some had a face with guilt, regret, and sadness. He sighed seeing the archons.

"Leave-" The 8 archon's expressions were either surprised or hopeful, Aether once again sighed, inaudibly this time. "-If you do not want to join me with the destruction of Kaenriah."

Aether turned around, then created a magic circle under him, His eyes gleamed into a darker gold as he casted the Celestia magic. A magic circle appeared before them, through the magic circle appeared a kingdom.

"Step up if you wish to join me." He side-eyed the archons.

Only 3 stepped up.

Murata, Morax, and Ei.

Aether looked at the three before returning his attention to the portal, before he could speak up, a soft voice beat him to it. "Wait!" Aether turned to look at the source of the voice to see Ei's twin, Baal.

"What do you need?" Aether sternly said, He didn't have the time to entertain the Archons.

Baal seemed to be at a loss for words, Making Aether glare at her in annoyance. While her sister, Ei, looked worried for her sister.

"I... I want to help." Baal looked down in stress from the situation, she was not adept with the blade nor did she have the strength to go against the Crowned prince of Celestia, but she had the itching feeling to help.

"Sister... Are you sure?.." Ei's voice was filled with dread.

"I'm sure, Sister." Baal assuringly smiled at Ei.

Aether's breath hitched seeing their interaction, it quite resembled his sister and him. But he had no time to dilly-dally with the past, he had to focus only on the future and present.

"Hmph, the more people we have, the quicker this can get done." Aether summoned his wand in his hand, as he gestured to the other 4 archons to follow him through the portal, the 4 archons followed him slowly as they prepared for war.

Aether had not noticed the Dendro archon's frightened glare they were giving Aether.