Chapter Text
The Cold-blooded Empire (CBE) was created several years ago, an assemblage of young soldiers all beaming with seemingly futile ambition. It was led by two leaders, contrasting in personalities yet brought together by a bond that no one seemed able to describe. Phil and Techno were inseparable, and everyone seemed to respect that.
The empire started small, insignificant in comparison to the empires that terrorised lands. They occupied a small town, containing enough houses and shops for them to be comfortable. Everyone was treated equally, respect danced in their people's eye whenever the pair would wander aimlessly down the streets, informing those interested of their progress. Soon word of mouth gained influence, families with young children joining their ever-growing population until they had no choice but to expand.
Their first battle seemed so unforgettable to the two Kings, the nostalgia easily returning with just a simple look at the land. The Cold-blooded Empire had taken control of a neighbouring village, capturing the place with little opposition and showering it with basic principles. The occupants soon grew their faith in them, more and more training sessions were being held for those who were willing to join them. Both Kings dabbled in it, but it was clear which would hold more responsibility for logistics in the future.
One battle became two, and soon the pair had lost count of the amount of blood that stained their hands. They had realised the sheer amount of it one evening, when the older of the pair was arranging funerals for all the fallen soldiers on both sides. The empire was no longer small and insignificant, and larger empires were soon falling victim to the power of The Cold-blooded Empire. It seemed they built up quite a reputation, several empires abstaining from battle and willingly passing power to the respected pair.
On the anniversary of just their third year formed, The Cold-blooded Empire stood face to face with their biggest competitor. A battle that would soon be framed in the pages of history awaited them, and the two leaders would become the most influential in more than just their country. It was a bloodshed to be remembered, the horn of defeat from their once enemy was glory to their ears.
It was a lot of work, and both Kings knew what they were signing up for. The younger trained all the remaining soldiers, securing their status and emphasising their power to those who dared to try anything. The older worked on their image, the sheer kindness and generosity of him being enough to win the hearts of the people. No one dared to go against them, and the empire was smooth sailing from there on out.
But there was something missing; something that wouldn’t be found until a couple years had flown by.
The younger of the Kings was gifted, blessed in more ways than just pure skill. He had a soulmate, and one that both Kings were eager to find. It was rare, incredibly so that when the words tattooed themselves onto his arm like ivy it shook the few that knew. The younger King found himself tracing the words every evening, a saddened look growing in his eyes whenever the elder found him like that.
You see, soulmates are a beautiful thing, a connection like nothing else that could ever be imagined. They were often platonic, so fragile that the death of one would often be the cause of the others. It was heavily sought after, and the youngest King harvested an exhilarated glee behind his crafted bored expression. Yet, there was always concern there, and the eldest King only understood why when Techno trusted him enough to show him the words written on his arm.
Soulmates were connected, and clues were written on their arms to help them find each other. The most notable was their soulmate’s deepest insecurity, tattooed on their arms and fated to remain there for as long as the soulmates stay unacquainted. Only then would the words fade, succeeded by one word: ‘found.’ Both Kings strove for that day to come, anticipating its arrival.
Several years passed of endless searching, towns and cities bringing a spark of hope in both the King’s hearts. The oldest King was always there to reassure him, the pure determination in his voice telling anyone that the search would never stop, no matter what. Both their protective instincts had flared up, and a flame like that wasn’t easy to distinguish.
But they had no luck. Well, until now, where our story unfolds...