3rd life, but make it Corika!

{Logo} Venom

"Regent's here. He's... Oh, we're FUCKED!" Emperor yelled, pacing back and forth on the carpeted floor.

"Emp, babe, calm down." Gloves said, turning dyed wool into carpeting (They often did crafts like this to keep themselves calm). "He's on yellow, he's gotta be more careful and lord knows you'll kill him if he dares try to hurt any of us. We'll be fine, Empy."

"I h-hope you're right.." Emperor sat against the wall, leaning his head against it. "I'm mainly worried for you and Prince, though. If Regent wants to hurt someone, he'd hurt someone close to them first."

Gloves set the carpet in the chest, before sitting next to Emperor. "Hey, you wanna go hunting or something? Might help ya clear your head.."

Emperor nodded. "M-maybe. It'll at least distract me..."

Gloves picked up their king. "Alright, Let's go."

They walked out the door, and into the spruce forest. The undergrowth crunched under Gloves' feet. The sound was familiar to Emp due to all the long walks they would take around Mount Nantai. It was comforting.

"So, what do you wanna look for? You and Prince are gonna be the ones eating the meat anyways-"

"Oh, right. ...We want to look for some more berries while we're out here, for you?" Emperor asked.

Gloves shook their head. "I got a small farm at home. I'll be fine. When I start craving... like, fuckin sushi or some shit that's when you should get worried."

Emperor chuckled, leaning against Gloves. "I will, love. Now, food?"

"Food."

The two went farther into the Spruce Forest, Emperor jumping out of Gloves' hold to get a cow or pig, the occasional chicken or rabbit. And soon enough, The game bag was filled and the smell made Emp's mouth water. The sun had almost risen and the two were heading home, already having had some close calls with zombies or skeletons. They were tired, and Emp had once again cuddled up in Gloves' arms.

"Sleepy, love?" Gloves asked, kissing the king's forehead.

Emperor nodded. "A bit.. I'm just glad we're alive, now.."

"And we have food for later. I can cook it up, k?"

"Are you sure?" Emperor asked. "I know how you are with meat-"

"I'm not one of those crazed vegans you hear about. You know me, I kept meat snacks in my house for people who don't eat my food. Plus I'm vegetarian and not fully vegan-"

"True, true..."

"Yeah. Now, get some re-aCK-" Gloves fell down, Emp tumbling down as a result. "Shit-What as that?"

"No arrow... It's not a skeleton." Emperor stated. "Then... what-"

A soft cackling was heard. A purple-clothed... thing, with a giant pointy hat. A witch!

She pulled out a potion, splashing it on the ground near Emperor. A green liquid splashed onto his leg, and it stung like hell. "GAH-"

"Oh, that bitch.." Gloves sprung up, sword in their gloved hand. A blink, and Emperor missed it; The witch was lying dead on the ground. "There. Emp, you alright?"

Emperor sat up, looking at his leg. "I... d-don't think so. M-Mind helping me?"

Gloves nodded, sliding their sword back into its hilt, and knelt next to Emperor, looking at his leg. "...Okay this looks gross."

They weren't exaggerating. Emperor's leg had a nasty green welt where the liquid landed on his leg. Green... something, marked his veins. No blood, just... pus and a foul-smelling green ooze.

"...Maybe it's poison?" Emperor asked, before cursing under his breath and wincing as Gloves gently touched the area around it.

"Or a nasty infection. Probably the former, to be honest." Gloves said. "Feeling alright?"

Emperor shook his head. "Honestly, I feel kinda shitty... a-and, cold..."

Gloves lifted Emperor in their arms, rushing back home. But, in the chaos, they didn't notice the communicator buzz until Emperor's body poofed.

"...W-what? No. N-no this... This can't be happening."

They quickly grabbed their communicator, looking at the death log.

>Emperor died by magic

Prince: GODSDAMNIT. REGENT IS THIS YOU-

Regent : ITS NOT ME THIS TIME I S W E A R.

Gloves covered their mouth in pure shock. Emp... he died to that? At least his leg might be a bit better. But for now, they needed to get back. They needed to protect their lover. Or at least comfort them. Via a bit of searching, the communicator could send private messages. That was a good thing. They took it, quickly sending something to Emperor.

Gloves : Hey, Emp. Stay at home, alright? I'll be there soon. Your leg alright?

Emperor : I...I don't know. The mark is still there and it's a bit sore but otherwise I'm alright. Just... get here fast for me.

Gloves: I will.

They slipped their communicator in their pocket, running towards home.

The sun was risen when they got there, the golden light bathing their home. They took a deep breath, and opened the door. "Emp?"

Emperor looked up from the bed, a roll of gauze crafted from wool in his hands and reaching as if he was going to wrap it around his leg. His circlet had also lost one of the three gems on it. It now had only the yellow and the red heart-shaped gems. "Your back."

"Lemme look at your leg." They quickly headed over, taking the gauze and looking at their lover's leg. The welt was still there but it was dry. No pus or poison. The veins were still there but looked lighter. The scent was also only slightly, easily overpowered by the aroma of meat from their hunting. "Looks a bit better. Can I...?"

Emperor nodded, letting Gloves touch the area around it gently. No wincing. "Yeah, think you're alright. You said it's sore?"

"Just... kind of like a sore muscle, I think." He said. "Nothing bad."

Gloves nodded, taking the gauze and wrapping the welt. "Let's keep this on for a while. You'll need it, probably."

"Fair enough..."

"Now, that's your wound... how are you mentally?" Gloves asked, sitting on the bed next to Emperor. They rested their arm around his shoulders and Emperor leaned into the touch.

"I... I feel okay-ish. Just... dying is not fun." Emperor said. "I t-think I prefer staying alive, thank you very much."

Gloves chuckled, kissing Emp's forehead. "Yeah... I think I do, too."