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The young prince of Briar Valley is able to do many things. Despite his youth, he wields immense power, and with a rare lineage like his, it only serves to amplify it. With the flick of a wrist, he can summon destructive storms and even calm them in the same motion. Creating something from nothing is easy for a being like him. With a magic reserve as extensive as his, nothing is impossible.
Some even revere him as a god due to his abilities. Being of royal descent and having such power puts him on a pedestal above others. While Malleus is not a tyrant, he still has plenty to learn. Controlling his powers is one thing, yet leading those around him is another.
Those who serve him find it hard to deny his wishes. How would one say no to someone like him? Even those close to him fear what he is capable of doing. Therefore, what the most powerful prince wishes for, he gets.
Even when it comes to a forbidden wish.
A dragon fae can live for a long, long time. They can outlive humans as well as other fae. Time is something that does not bother him personally, but it does affect everyone around him. Loss is inevitable; he's been told that before. Malleus has tried to brush that warning off. He still has time, they still have time.
Then he takes a pause to see the world moving around him and realizes that the inevitable will come true. Lilia is an older fae, and despite his youthful appearance, he is losing his touch. Silver is a human, one who had grown into a man in the blink of an eye for someone like him. Sebek is half human and grows just as quickly as Silver despite his heritage.
No matter how much he wishes to ignore it, the world won't stop moving.
Malleus has to combat this somehow. Loneliness is painful. He's been through it enough to know that it's impossible to withstand the pain forever. He needs someone who can stand beside him no matter how many years- centuries pass. And if no living being can, then perhaps the dead will.
Lilia had tried to deter him. There was the obvious warning about how reviving the dead is forbidden. Playing with life isn't something anyone should be doing. Yet, no matter the arguments given, Lilia could not persuade him. Malleus's selfish desires outweigh his morals.
As the only one who knows about the prince's desire, Lilia caves in to being his accomplice. He is given simple orders: find a suitable being to be by the prince's side. The task is more difficult than one would think. Not just anyone could be chosen. He needed to find a mage, someone whose body was already used to magic.
Malleus never questions how the bodies are found; he doesn't care. Especially when none could withstand the life he is forcefully trying to breathe into them.
A spell like this isn't studied, and records are difficult to find. Even then, it's only scraps of information on how to properly perform the spell. It's easy enough to follow along. The only issue is his magic. It's far stronger than most, and he needs to use the right amount to make this work.
The prince grows tired of the failures. He demands a new one the moment the spell fails. Using his life force on these lifeless beings doesn't hurt, but continuous use would eventually affect him. After all, even he is not immortal.
Perhaps Lilia is right. He should stop and be happy with what he has. But Malleus is far too stubborn to quit.
Another body lies before him on the stone table. This one is a young male human, tall and slender. He has white, messy hair and pale skin, more pale than most that were brought to him. Like the others, he lies still. Malleus could only imagine that someone so young had met with a tragic fate far too soon.
The dragon fae lets his fingers glide over his arm as if testing the body. The flesh is still there, the body is almost perfect. The life stolen from this one is recent after all. Doubts plague his mind, and he mentally prepares himself for the same outcome.
"It would be a shame for you to remain in your eternal slumber," he whispers to the deceased as he cups his cheek. His touch is gentle, even if the other cannot feel him.
Malleus gazes up at the moon as if expecting a sign. From his tower, isolated from the rest of his castle, he can see plenty. The dark forest below is like a treacherous labyrinth, while the night sky above is like a beautiful painting adorned with bright stars. The view is one he's come to love.
"Let's see if you will be able to share this sight with me."
The clear sky soon darkens with heavy clouds. Thunder begins to boom and light flashes within the clouds. No rain falls, for now.
Malleus raises a hand, and green lightning begins to crackle around him. The tower darkens, the thunder growing louder as magic begins to fill the air around them. A dark ball of magical energy forms in his palm, flickering with green-colored lightning.
The young prince takes in a breath. He clears his mind, focusing on the spell and his magic. He needs to properly share his life force to bring this one back to life. As long as the heart can start beating, this one can have a second chance.
Too many times has the dragon fae failed. He doesn't want this to be another loss.
Without warning, he lowers his hand to the corpse's chest. The ball of magical energy is pressed into him. As the body absorbs the magic, a gust of wind surges around them, and lightning hits everything in the room. The body twitches as it struggles to accept the prince's magic.
The tower seems to fall into chaos until the magic is gone from his hand. With his palm now resting over his chest, the room falls silent as if the storm was never there to begin with. The clouds from above begin to disperse, allowing moonlight to shine upon them.
The body doesn't move. It doesn't even twitch. There is no heartbeat underneath his hand. Malleus closes his eyes and slowly removes his hand from the body. He turns his back to the corpse, his gaze drifting back to the moon with a pleading look. Lilia would need to return this one, too, it seems.
Before he can summon him, a ghastly groan catches the prince off guard. It's rare for someone like him to be startled, especially by an otherworldly sound. Instantly, he turns on his heels as his gaze falls upon the corpse.
Fingers flex as if testing movement. Malleus can see his toes do the same as the tips of the shoes begin to twitch. Bones crack with every movement as if they haven't been in use for years. Red eyes begin to flutter open, staring up at the moon in an unfocused haze. The human's chest moves up and down with every new breath taken.
"Ugh..."
The young prince is quick to the living's side, yet he doesn't reach out to touch him, not yet. This could be some false hope before the life given to him flickers out once more. It wouldn't be impossible for his eyes to close and never open again. Yet, they don't.
Stiffly, the human moves so he can sit up on the table. A hand goes to his head as he adjusts to the world of the living once more.
"What...?" The boy's voice is hoarse, almost a whisper. "Where am I...?"
"You are in Briar Valley," Malleus answers. "Be still. Your body is not in a state for sudden movements."
"What...happened...?"
Malleus debates about telling him the truth. The burden might be too much for him to bear. The last thing he wants to do is frighten him and lose him before he can even claim him as his own.
"You were asleep for a very long time," he answers. "You are quite lucky to be awake."
"I see..." He replies. Those red eyes glance around the room. The location must be unfamiliar to him, given the confusion. Not many humans make it into Briar Valley.
"Do you have a name?"
"My name...? Ah, yes...it's Skully. Skully J. Graves."
"Skully..." Malleus repeats thoughtfully. It's a unique name, one he could get used to saying. He finds it simple yet perfect for his new prized possession. This human is bound to him and only him, whether he knows it or not. And he's intent on never letting go.
"Do you remember what happened before your slumber?"
"I must apologize," Skully says, shaking his head, and he looks like he regrets doing the simple movement. "I can't recall much...It's quite shameful as I wish I could tell you more, but...my memories are a bit scattered." The boy takes a short breath. "That sleep of mine must have affected me more than I suspected. Even my body feels...odd."
Malleus watches as Skully moves his body, still adjusting to the way it moves. He can tell how he tries to subtly test each movement, whether it be his fingers or ankles, even his neck when moving his head. Perhaps this bothers him more than he cares to admit, but Malleus will not press on that matter.
"It is alright," Malleus replies, unable to hide his grin. Perhaps it is better this way. A hazy memory gives him plenty to work with, like a clean slate he can mold into whatever he wishes. "I have those who can help you adjust. For now, you must take it easy."
"You are such a kind fellow," Skully says with a small grin, showing off the two gaps in his teeth. "Helping a stranger is quite chivalrous...I wish I could repay you somehow."
The dragon fae's sharp eyes gleam at his words. That was all he needed to hear from the human. After having his wish granted, this seems almost too easy. He really would have a partner beside him for all his life.
"If you wish to repay me...simply stay with me."
"Really?" Skully is caught off guard by his response. He wasn't expecting to hear that. The response had come so quickly, as if it were planned. But the human can't go back on his word. "I suppose I can...It's the least I can do."
Malleus smirks upon hearing his agreement. If only he knew the weight of his words. Such a simple, verbal agreement is binding for fae.
He offers Skully a hand to help him off the table. The human takes it, his grip weaker than others. He feels Skully squeeze his hand to make sure he even has a grip. Adjusting himself to get ready to stand is more difficult. His long legs practically touch the floor once he's sitting on the edge of the table.
One foot presses into the ground, followed by another. Skully's legs wobble as he stands, imitating a newborn fawn. His grip on Malleus's hand tightens as he feels himself losing balance and bumping against Malleus. His free hand lands on the young prince's chest to help steady himself.
"Pardon me! I...I don't really know what is happening to me," Skully says, a bit of pink coloring his pale cheeks. A true sign of warmth and life. He takes a moment to stand perfectly on his feet, but Malleus can still notice the slight tremble in his legs.
"Ah, that's right...I never got your name, my dear savior."
"Malleus Draconia. But just Malleus will suffice. Formalities are not needed," he hums. He takes the hand that is over his chest and holds that one as well to help Skully with his balance.
Normally, he would be angered by the mere thought of a stranger touching him so casually. He's being used as some post to help a human, yet he can't find it in himself to be upset. Instead, Malleus is observing everything he can about him. The more he knows, the better.
Besides, he feels a new warmth in his chest when the other is relying on him. Skully needs him, and he doesn't look at him with fear. His eyes show thanks, yet not in the way others do. It's more genuine rather than being in awe of who he is. The way the human looks at him makes him feel normal.
"My dear Malleus," Skully starts, sporting that toothy smile once more. Despite using him for support, he manages to lift Malleus's hand to give him a quick kiss on the back of his wrist. "Thank you for being so kind to me...and I do hope that I can fulfill that repayment of yours to the fullest."
The sudden action causes Malleus's eyes to widen. Not even those he considers family did something so bold as that. His gaze flickers between his hand and Skully. The surprise slowly fades and is replaced with a grin.
"You should not be quick to thank me just yet."
Malleus, regretfully, lets go of one of his hands. They couldn’t walk if they kept both of their hands intertwined. He allows Skully to do slow and steady steps. Rather than lead him to the door, he leads him to the window. The cool night air brushes against them both as they stand there, overlooking the dark forest.
“This is where you live…?” The question doesn’t have a hint of fear in it, but rather curiosity. If only Malleus could pry and ask him if he has seen anything like this before. The answer would most likely be no. Human territories never look like this.
“Yes. Briar Valley is my home…and it shall be yours too.”
Malleus carefully observes his reaction. It’s hard to gauge what he thinks when his gaze seems to be still. Skully looks into the forest, yet finds nothing. But when he lifts his head, he’s greeted by a clear night sky with the moon gracing them both. He smiles as his gaze remains on the moon and stars.
“It’s nice. The night here feels…terrifyingly perfect,” Skully says with a grin and looks at Malleus. He looks as if he wants to say more, but hesitates. The human may be tired after just being reanimated. The movement of his body, while not much, must still be strenuous.
“Once you’re feeling better, I can escort you around here. I’m sure you will enjoy it. For now, I shall take you to your chambers to rest.”
Skully almost protests, but fatigue holds him back. With so much kindness being offered to him, he wishes to turn it down. It’s almost too much to accept! Then, he remembers his promise of repayment. If he can stay beside him, perhaps Malleus will be happy.
Malleus is happy, more than he’ll ever know. The forbidden spell worked, and now he has someone imbued with his life force. No matter what happens, they are bound together. He’ll make it known when the time is right. For now, he needs Skully to rest so he can assimilate into his new life.