Will of a Prince

Lucy and Jack were walking together to meet up with Steel and Bo. They had already talked a little about helping out with a kitchen project to give food out to those in need.

"I hope Steel won’t be creepy again. I swear all that guy thinks about is cutting and slicing people up like a madman."

"I hope so too. At least Bo will be there to alleviate some of it... hopefully."

"Are we sure this is the right kitchen they said to meet at? I know we’re late, but I don’t see them anywhere!"

"Let’s just go inside, Lucy. Maybe they are already helping prepare things."

As they entered the large building, behind the counter was the familiar, creepy-looking Steel with Bo right by his side. To both their surprise, Steel looked a lot less intimidating with an apron on and a chef’s hat. It almost made Lucy want to laugh.

"It’s about time you guys showed up. The kitchen staff insisted on waiting on you, but I told them if we had to wait ten more minutes, I would start cutting them up!!"

"Oh please, we are hardly late! Where should we get our aprons and such on?"

"There’s some in the back. I can show you where the knives and cleavers are as well if you would like."

Lucy stared at him dubiously.

"...I’m okay. Thank you."

"Your loss."

As all four of them walked back to the kitchen. Waiting on the table were a long line of meats and vegetables. After washing their hands separately, a large man in a chef’s hat started ordering them around.

"Alright! We need to all four of you to start chopping up all these veggies and meat to prepare for the stew! After, you will be slow cooking it all together in a pot before pouring the stew in hundreds of bowls! Get to it!"

Steel looked like he was about to pass out from happiness. It was almost creepy to see him so happy.

"Did... you just say chop?"

"I did! Now go crazy!"

Steel almost teleported to the table and started vigorously chopping up meat and vegetables. However, instead of using knives, he was using all of his fingers. Bo took a few steps away from him towards Lucy and Jack.

"I would stay away from him when he gets like this. I almost turned invisible out of habit."

Lucy created her own sharp blade from nothing and started slicing produce herself.

"Thanks for the advice. You’re Bo, right? I’ve hardly seen you out of invisibility so it’s a bit odd talking to you."

"I understand. I’m normally sent on missions that require secrecy, so most people don’t even know I exist." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Jack looked at him concerned.

"Doesn’t that bother you?"

Bo Smiled to himself.

"I actually prefer it that way. I’m not the most social butterfly compared to some of my other siblings like Zoey."

In mere minutes, all of the meats and veggies were cut. Steel seemed to do a majority of the work, but the others didn’t mind. The big chef walked toward them.

"Good, now throw it all in the pot! I have it boiling right now!"

All of them took huge handfuls and shoveled their goods into the pot. The room started filling with a delightful scent.

"Very good! Stay right here and I’ll grab some spices from the back!"

The large man left them to continue stirring the pot and filling it with more goodies. Steel seemed surprisingly content.

"This isn’t half bad! Maybe I should cook more often!"

A strange figure appeared behind Bo, putting something cold on his shoulder. Bo slowly turned his head to see a creepy skull staring down at him.

"Uh... Hello?"

Suddenly, Bo started dissipating into thin dark particles until he was completely gone. The others dropped their utensils and backed up.

Lucy started creating a sword and armor using her power.

"What the hell?! What did you do with Bo? Who are you?"

The dark figure just stared at them with no emotion behind the dark eyes of the skull.

"Tell me what you did with Bo or we’ll attack!"

A dark voice breathed out behind the mask.

"I am merely an Epigone of Calamity. A follower of the end. You must fall, nobles."

Lucy looked at her comrades, preparing to attack. She dropped her sword out of shock. Steel and Jack had a look of pure terror across their faces. They couldn’t move, their breathes were short, and they were sweating profusely.

"S-Snap out of it guys! It’s just one of them-"

Multiple skeletal hands were placed on her and her friend’s shoulders. Slowly, they started disappearing one by one.

"No... I need to warn Lidi-"

Lucy disappeared before she could finish her sentence.

Gabriel and Mrs. Katra started walking down the street together towards a small laundry building with dozens of clothes drying on pins. They planned on helping the people fold laundry for their customers and hand them out.

"My my, I must say Mrs. Katra. Your beauty is like no other compared to others in the kingdom! Mr. Katra sure got lucky finding you before you fell in love with me instead. Well, that options still on the table if you wish."

Mrs. Katra slammed a fist on top of Gabriels head, causing him to hold it in pain.

"Don’t talk to the lady of the house like that. You’re lucky I even showed up. And just call me Luna. Everyone in the house doesn’t need to be formal with me."

Luna’s long silver hair was held up in a ponytail behind her head. Every step she took was calculated and composed. Her figure was astounding as well. Passersby couldn’t help but gawk whenever they could. She looked her role of royalty.

As they entered the shop, Peter and Cane were already inside washing clothes in small buckets of water. Both of them stood up and bowed to Luna.

"Greetings Mrs. Katra. I am happy you agree to this."

"It’s no problem. Me and Zeke finished our duty early as well, so this wasn’t much trouble to make it."

Cane personally walked up to Luna and bowed his head once more.

"I am deeply sorry for my actions regarding one of your house members. Please forgive me if you can."

Luna looked down at him with a cold glare, then smiled.

"It’s okay. Just don’t have it happen again. Now, why don’t we get started. Where are the people in charge of the shop?"

Peter wiped his brow.

"They should be outside hanging up more clothes. If you want, you can either choose to help us clean the clothes or you can go outside and help hang them up or fold them."

Luna thought to herself for a few moments.

"How about me and you can go out there and fold while Cane and Gabriel can stay here and clean for us. This way we can divide up the work but still split the bonding evenly."

Peter stood up quickly.

"That sounds good to me. Let’s go."

Luna and Peter walked out, leaving Cane to Gabriels mercy. Even while walking away, they could hear Garbriel already starting to annoy Cane. As Luna and Peter worked, they started a conversation.

"You look as healthy as ever, Luna."

"You as well, Peter. I never thought I’d see the day where the clans get together for anything."

"Maybe we’re both just getting old."

"Are you calling me old?"

Peter giggled and started moving behind the hanging clothes, out of her sight.

"I’m calling both of us old."

"Fair enough. I’m sorry to hear about your son by the way. Matthew was a good man."

Peter looked away wistfully.

"He simply lost himself. I just wish I could’ve help him come back."

"You can’t blame yourself for what your child chooses to do. It’s just a part of life."

"Still, sometimes I can’t help but feel I could have done something a little different."

"I understand what you mean. I feel that way with my Syndey sometimes. She’s as free spirited as you can get."

A silence followed her response.

"Sorry, I didn’t mean to keep things awkward. Let’s just continue working. How’s it coming along over there?"

Another silence fell on her.

"Peter? Is everything okay?"

Luna moved the cloth to look at the figure behind the sheet. Instead of Peter, it was a dark figure in a black mask staring at her silently.

"What the hell-"

Gabriel got shivers while washing clothes with Cane.

"Geez. Do you feel that? I’m getting creepy vibes for some reason by being here."

"Gabriel, I don’t think you’ve stopped talking since you’ve arrived. What could it possibly be?"

"I’m not sure, but I don’t like it one bit. I may be annoying sometimes, but I know when to run when I need to. I would suggest you follow me."

Gabriel dropped the clothes and started running towards the door.

"Wait, we are just going to leave Peter and Mrs. Katra?"

"Yup! Goodbye!"

Gabriel continued running out the door full sprint. As he turned the knob to leave, there was already a figure on the other side. Gabriel screamed and backed away.

"Cane! You have to run and get Lidia or Mr. Katra! I don’t like the look of these guys!"

"Shit."

Cane stood up quickly and first ran out to see where Peter and Mrs. Katra were. Instead of seeing them, he was greeted by another masked figure.

"I have an idea! Run at me, Cane! Make sure to brace yourself!"

Without thinking, Cane ran towards Gabriel, trusting his intuition. Gabriel grew his hand large enough to fit Cane in it. Then, using his giant strength, threw him through the ceiling away from the chaos. Right as he let go to send Cane away, Gabriel started disintegrating into darkness.

Cane looked behind him in utter horror.

"What?! What the hell is going on?"