Deep within a Heaven hewn from mighty stone and blazing ash, a man- a warrior... shackled by the Hands of Judgement dwelled in a cell veiled in shadow. Like an animal waiting to be slaughtered and drained of all its blood, the man was suspended in the centre of the tight confined by the Hands, which protruded from the dark, gleaming walls as though they were mere extensions of the surfaces to hold him in place- have him await and dread his impending sentencing and trial by the True God's Messengers.
The first two massive arms jutted from the ceiling and extended to grip his wrists tightly as they held him firmly in a standing position. Their exterior was smooth, even appearing as if it were glazed or polished with gold and emitting a taint, mystical, azure light. They were a pure contrast to those that projected from the floor, a sickening contradistinction.
Those that manacled him from atop secured him with grace- mercy, while those below appeared more as though they were clutching his ankles in terror-pain and plea as they sunk their grotesque nails deep into his flesh. They drew blood, which slowly trickled along their scarred palms in slow, sombre rhymes.
*Flow. Flow. Drip. Drip.*
Over and over.
The warrior did not cry out, nor did he sob or pant at the pain, instead he merely watched the darkness and listened to the flickers of the shadows in silence. Such tranquil, focused silence- as if he expected them to move... or be moved- vanquished even.
... It almost appeared as if he were waiting- not for his trial, but as though he knew something- or someone- outside was coming. Coming for him. Upon his wait, he seemed to ponder...
When this calling arrived, will it deserve his answer? Would the Caller be worthy of his response?
***
Five years.
Altogether, it had been half a full decade since Dolffie last had a… companion- a person he worked beside or allied with for more than two minutes without their blood ending up a new edition of crimson on his skin. It was weird, and in some parts uncomfortable- strange even, but mostly, he felt... it wasn't terrible. It made him wonder if he would feel this pleasant too with his treasure.
Carrot wasn't talkative much, though Dolffie didn't exactly blame him or mind. They spoke as they headed toward their target, mostly regarding their plan and very little about themselves. They tried to avoid personal details, but when they did indulge, it was relatively simple: favourite food, hobbies and passions, nothing about their pasts, nothing about the whys, and nothing deep- never anything deep. They were associates, a temporary Court to break Heaven, and that was that.
They would put their minds and power together but weren't comrades or allies; it was merely a temporary partnership.
That's how it has always been and how it always will be. For Dolffie at least.
Partners in mind and strength, but strangers at heart and soul. And that was that. For everyone.
***
Five days.
In total, it took the Dolly B. Dolffie Temporary Court almost an entire week to travel across Fish Island from its picturesque West into its notorious East; all the way from Bobby Coast Village into the Eastern Dead Forest- into the forbidden territory of the Angels Denied Heaven… and Unknown. When all is said and done, the Forest was called the 'Dead' Forest for a reason- a highly sound rationale all who inhabited the island knew well.
"It shouldn't take us long to reach the detention from here," Dolffie muttered as he checked the map for the thousandth time. Though he possessed possibly the most puissant map on the entirety of Goisha, he knew only the basics of how to precisely and effectively use it. He hardly understood most of the symbols and intricate lettering and could only decipher those he had deemed 'enough'.
He was well aware of the fact there were plenty of invaluable things he could acquire through the map- an occult creation that could easily reveal the layout and location of anything on Goisha the holder desired. Absolutely and indefinitely anything, 'Unshielded' of course- as long as the holder was desperate or yearnful enough, or possessed a commanding desire and greed that made the artefact obey.
The atlas, titled Magnia, had the ability to sense or peer into the material desires of whomever physically held it and in turn found that which they sought most by illustrating a map that-unless the target had the power to or an artefact that spiritually or magically blocked such types of trace sorcery-Shielded- divulged the object or being's precise location, the whereabouts and state of which did not matter. As long as what the holder desired was on and from Goisha, then Magnia could find it.
"Oh, I forgot to ask, but whereabouts did you acquire that map?" Dolffie felt Carrot looming over him.
Shortly after they arrived and carefully scoped the forest, patient and stealthy as not to wake or attract the attention of... their hosts, the duo decided to scout from atop the branch of a massive tree a few miles away from the Stone Heaven. Risky, reckless, stupid and dangerous, but absolutely necessary if their plan is to be provided further guarantee of success.
So far, three hours had passed... and Dolffie remained perched near the trunk, practically burning a hole through the map as he continued glowering at it. He refused to let Carrot touch it, let alone help him study it, and now they were wasting precious time and daylight that could be used to clarify certain essential details.
"I'd rather not say. Ever." Dolffie answered, looking more awkward than perturbed.
Carrot narrowed his gaze and guessed, "It's what you're wanted for, isn't it?"
"...Yes," Dolffie sheepishly responded while meekly turning his body away from Carrot.
There was silence as Dolffie thought Carrot's eyes were going to pop from their sockets because of how dramatically he rolled them. - Once more, he reigned victorious in their battle of prance.
Still, it made Dolffie wonder: what limit was there to the things comrades and allies should or could divulge? When he found his treasure and assembled his true Court, what would be their boundaries? Their rules? He had never properly thought about it, and now seeing as the historic moment was nearing, it fell right to consider it. Yes, he could use force, but then what? Would he... truly feel as satisfied or assured as he surprisingly is now if coercion worked on the warrior? On any of them?
With courtesy and not a sliver of derision, Dolffie had to admit, Carrot's boldness and assertiveness left an impression on him- a very high impression... and expectation. He had made Dolffie listen, demanded his attention... and was worthy to receive it. But what of Dolffie himself, was he worthy of the warrior's attention?
If he put aside his power and strength, what else did he have to offer- to give.... that was worthy of accepting? And what did he truly want from the people he was gathering? He didn't know much except he needed them to fight- needed them to become his warriors and assist in his ascension… But why should they?
Why should they-anyone- follow him to begin with?
"Still," Carrot suddenly spoke, snapping Dolffie from his thoughts. How long had he been glaring at the poor map? And what did Carrot think was on his mind?
"We're always allowed our secrets," he finished, looking into the distance. A cool and gentle breeze wept by as a silence enveloped them, tousling the lose strands from Dolffie's bun and ruffling Carrot's gleaming hair.
"But..." Dolffie carefully folded the map and discretely stashed it into his calf pocket before getting to his feet beside Carrot. He looked out into the far distance, but did not really see anything. Only the darkening sky and unnerving trees.
"What is the limit to how much I'll-I should- keep from them?"
Carrot looked at him for a moment, then turned back to face the eerily silent forest, "I don't know."
Another moment of cold quiet passed before Dolffie mumbled, more to himself than anyone, "Why would he follow me?"
Carrot quietly muttered back, "That's not a question anyone else can answer."
He continued subtly watching Dolffie before turning back to the forest. It was calm, so quiet and gentle to the point where an ignorant fool- maybe even a wise man as well- couldn't guess the sheer amount of death and horror that crawled here. How very identical to life this jungle was. Joyful and charming on initial experience but quickly pries its miserable and cruel side when you get tolled along for the full journey. Carrot hated this place- this den of unspeakable evil. A den he was going to ensure Dolly B. Dolffie… vanquished.
He shifted his gaze back to Dolffie, who was busy patiently watching the forest with less eager than before- far less eager. He dragged his stare down to the young man's forearms, to those crimson marks.
Carrot couldn't quite name it, but he sensed something from them- those markers... and Dolffie himself. Something terrible yet glorious - crippling yet impowering. It, for some reason...called to him. And many others he presumed.
The white-haired man shook his head before turning to face the forest once more as it- they- chanted:
"Dolly B. Dolffie, the Boy of Promise"
"Dolly B. Dolffie, the Answer."
"Dolly B. Dolffie… the Crown without a Mantle."
"Follow!!!!"
Over and over.
***
"It will be torturous. I'm certain due to his… esteemed reputation, the Angels have taken extra precautions regarding his confinement and security." Carrot calculated as they laid in a ditch only a few boulders and trees away from the Heaven.
It was dark now, though the night was young; the sun having only set an hour ago. They had decided to switch their scout post from the massive tree in favour of a ditch closer to the Prison.
"I'm aware. That's why it's vital every step goes well," Dolffie said as he doodled on the dirt. They were waiting; the perfect chance to strike was yet to arrive.
They drowned in silence as Carrot just watched him: those crimson hands absent-mindedly moving leisurely on the dirt to illustrate what looked to be a crown- a large, obtuse crown with different jewels waiting to be collected below it, and the faint moonlight bouncing off the dagger in his hair.
"Stop staring." Dolffie coarsely muttered, not bothering to face him.
"Your hair is long. Are you certain it will not be a hindrance? And is it okay for you to have such a sharp dagger so close to your scalp?" Carrot asked, arching a brow.
"It's fine." He curtly answered.
Carrot merely tilted his head and questioned further, "Why is it so long anyways? Normally people with your... aspirations have it short or shaved?"
Dolffie scrunched his face into a moue expression as he responded, "Well I'm not people."
Then they finally heard....
"Hurry up! Hurry up!" a deep voice quietly echoed, followed by the sounds of faint murmuring and hard steps... from multiple people.
Carrot and Dolffie froze, sinking deeper into the ditch as they quietly listened until the forest once again went silent, still.
They let a few more minutes pass before Dolffie lifted his head and looked at Carrot, who smiled, "Into Heaven."