falling, falling | rise from the grave

[Romulus]

ROMULUS MALUS - KINGPIN - COTC

The ability to cope quickly, shoving things deep inside his mind, had always been one of Romulus' finest abilities. No conciliation. Only moving along. The logic behind every move and the probability of what could follow had always been on his mind. When his parents died, the Malus had always assumed they would die in battle. Their valiant triumph and vicious greed led them to their ultimate doom, despite being shielded by good, familiar intent. As for his sister? Well, that was different.

Peculiar, particular situations on the spot were always a potential. Had he envisioned his sister's death to a 'T?' No, not quite. Her madness was a growing issue as they grew, especially with her growing power later in life. Despite that, her brother always had hope. Unfaithful, pessimistic hope, but hope nevertheless. Where Romulus could, he assisted. Kept her occupied and away, but with his parents' death, he fell absent. When he isolated himself away to cope, grand delusions kept him busy. In hindsight, he wished for his siblings to visit and pull him away from his melancholy, they never did. Not a soul. For all he of the support he put forth, the Malus never received any of it back in his time of need.

When he rose from the darkness of his hidden home, the lion came back to a new environment. His worldview had changed. The environment, no... the animals seemed different. Sojourn, despite the time being short, seemed... different. Something had clicked.

Then it happened.

The noise.

The yells.

The blood.

The dead.

After the deed, he realized that his disappearance might have played a factor. Guilt. Blaming himself. She could have been better. She could have lived. Her victims could have lived. It was too late.

If only he knew what to do, but he didn't. Despite their anger and spite towards one another, her sibling loved her. He wanted her back. That never appeared to be the case though. Two years had passed and he was left to fend for himself, Abzu occasionally joining him at his side. Romulus had never felt whole though. Split between life and death. Had the kingpin ever felt complete though?

During that time, he found purpose. The grief drove his ability to do better for others. As he led, the intelligent lion attempted to remain neutral with the groups. His family's greed had taught him that it would be his death if he pursued it, so he kept his Coalitions satiated and at home the best he could. So far, to his knowledge, it worked. Their peace in the north western islands went undisturbed. Romulus wished to keep it that way... And yet, at the best of times, there always appeared to be an issue that popped up.

The ground began to rumble beneath his paws. An earthquake? No. Not that. Something else. Puzzled by this predicament, the lion followed the source of the feeling and the sound of struggling. As he drew closer, he felt his heart began to sink. This direction only led one way. His ears pinned back as he realized where he was beginning to wander. 'The graves.'

The subtle scent of Inferno grazed his nose. Danger appeared to be lurking or the child was meddling at the gravesite somehow, but she would never cause such a rumble. The first option seemed likely. The screech, once familiar but faded due to time, only confirmed his suspicion. Claws unsheathed and his pace quickened, only to halt at the cemetery's edge. His periwinkle hues first caught Inferno's familiar figure. She was safe, but that was not his concern. Not anymore. What was in the distance caught his attention.

'Sojourn?'

A ragged, blue-hued form of his sister cruelly appeared before his eyes. Shocked in disbelief, the kingpin held his tongue. It couldn't be. Had this been another vivid dream world of his? Another manifestation of his desires? A hallucination appearing before him? Or, the final option, his sister alive and tattered before him? For a moment, he wavered through the options. His imagination and dreams he could control, but hallucinations he never considered. This was something Inferno could see too though... Was it true? Was she standing before him?

Hesitant paws stepped forward. Eyes drawn out and wide. His jaw parted to speak, only for a wavering rasp to come out. "Sister?"

The disgust of her form had passed by his thoughts. While she was not whole, it appeared to be her. Exposed bones, mutilated flesh, and all. Rancid smells and flesh-craving creatures escaped from the chambers below where her wooden casket was, but he couldn't acknowledge them. Only her. Shock and disbelief left him silent. He could add no further. As always, Sojourn was an unexpected surprise in life and in death... and life again.