Skyrise

Aftershock

Cerberus

You know what I hate? Feeling ignored, so meh. I'm taking over this chapter.

I occasionally hear my siblings laughing, see them racing down the hall. But then, I remember that it can't be true. Because they escaped to Skyrise, I mean. I put on my robe and grab my crown. I don't feel like a king. I feel like a prisoner.

Everyone calls me 'your Majesty' and stuff, but to be honest... I always figured Mephiles would handle the paperwork, and Lilith would handle public relations. I always thought we would rule together.

Well, at least production's up! I just tell people to keep working, and they do it. Morale, however, is still suffering after the death of our king. Even I feel it. This feeling of premonition and gloom looms above us all.

The barrier has mysteriously been sealed back up, so I... can't really talk to the Skyrisian who helped my sister. I can't ask how she's doing, or Mephiles. The feelings that have surged through me since our big fight are pointless, yet they are there all the same. Feelings of...regret. Perhaps even loneliness? I miss my siblings every day. Lilith with her cheerful smile, Mephy with his infuriatingly calm demeanor. I miss them dearly.

I sighed and sat in the throne. I had to look somewhat in control of my emotions when my company arrived. I saw him stride into the throne room. I rose to greet him. "You are the Merchant, correct?"

I am! Wowie, Cerberus. Your kingdom's a depressed mess.

"I know... May we please just get to the point of this?"

Of course! I see your people are in desperate need of hope. I have a solution! Break the barrier! It'll be a snap with my help!

"At what cost?" I asked.

The control of only one soul! It really is a low price to pay, especially when you consider that one soul will save at least a few hundred! So, what do you say, Your Highness? One measly soul for the return of your siblings and the feeling of sun on your face?

I pondered this. Whose soul could I give? I could give over my soul. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt someone else with a choice they had no say in, but how can you trust a complete stranger with your soul? "You won't make me do anything that I don't want to do, will you?"

Scout's honor!

"Okay, then you can take my soul." I then remembered that it could be painful. "Just, uh...be gentle, please. I have a very low tolerance for pain." I remembered my siblings, wondered where they were. I suddenly got too impatient. "Please, I worry for the sake of my--" His consciousness entered my soul, making me yelp in surprise. I saw my soul go from bright red, the color of justice, to brown, the soul color of chaos. The Merchant was taking over, and the pain was unbearable. I fell to my knees and dug my nails into the carpet. The last thing I heard was a distorted version of a child's laughter. The Merchant stood above me, cackling.

I just love making deals with royalty! Sweet dreams, Your Highness.
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So Cerberus done goofed, huh? Well, how do you think he's gonna get out of this? If at all? How do you think this'll affect the others when they know of this development?