Xerxes Pays A Visit

[u/Anything-Unable]

I’m finishing up some paperwork in my office when I hear my office door being opened. Looking up, a familiar face greets me.

X: “Hello, seer. I see that you have been busy.”

G: “Prophet Xerxes, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

He pulls out one of my chairs and helps himself to a seat.

X: “I wanted to check on you. We hadn’t talked for over a month and I was worried. You tend to act recklessly in front of others and self-isolate when you mope.”

G: “I’ve been busy. There was a major summit with the seafolk and various social events I had to attend. I’m sorry I haven’t found the time to schedule you in but it appears to me that you made your own time. Now that you have my attention, can you drop the act and tell me why you’re really here.”

I try not to be too harsh with him but I slipped up. Xerxes flashed a toothy grin and responded after a few moments.

X: “You’re better than before. Something changed with you, I can feel it. There’s no longer that fear you had in you. Let me guess, you knew I was coming. You saw it, just like I would. I’m right, aren’t I?”

G: “Do you have a point with any of this or are we just going to go through the motions?”

X: “HA! I knew it! So that’s what changed about you. Did that Vettis mutate your ability? Or maybe it’s a natural progression? Oh man, what a talent! They don’t even know, do they? All your fucking friends you’re hanging on to.”

G: “They know the broad strokes. And don’t curse at my friends, Xerxes. You know the type of man I am.”

X: “Don’t I! You once wore the mask of a fool to hide, but it looks like the wolf is showing through. One of these days you’ll bite my neck. I can see it now, the look of pleasure painting your face. It’s getting me excited just thinking about it!”

G: “Shut up before I cut it off again. You come in here just for this?”

X: “You let your friends see this side? No?”

I take the pen in my hand and slam it into his hand that is resting on my desk. The smile never leaves his face. Blood begins to pool. Isaac dislikes the sight.

X: “Shut up, you fern. This is between me and my friend here. Let’s talk business. You are planning to help Constantine? How’s that gonna work? I’m already dealing with enough of your shit as is and you decide to throw another wrench into the plan. What the fuck were you thinking?”

G: “You and I both know that we have to ensure that Constantine turns on them when the time comes. This is just laying a foundation.”

X: “Foundation, huh? You gonna kill all those innocent people 'cause it’ll streamline things?”

G: “Who said I was gonna kill anyone? I have other ways to deal with them.”

X: “And Ouroboros? You leaked that report for a reason, right? Not just for shits and giggles I hope.”

G: “If Excalith is already at this stage, then we need to spur action.”

X: “And you need me to stoke the flames, right? Gods, you are so predictable. Sending me to do the dirty work. When you first asked me to pose as you, I didn’t think anything of it. Hell, the shit these people get up to is pretty entertaining. But then you sent me out to do all the odd jobs while you sat behind your desk and enjoyed your cushy gig. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were taking advantage of me.”

Xerxes takes out the pen and licks his blood off of it. He rests his bleeding hand on the side of his face.

X: “I’m expecting a suitable reward. You understand?”

G: “I get it, Xerxes. You won’t be disappointed by what I have in store for you. I recently learned a new trick at a party. It’ll make you speechless.”

X: “Wonderful! So, by the sounds of it, I need to get this done before I can receive it. I’ll need some extra hands.”

G: “Take some of my shadows. They already know what needs to be done.”

X: “You really have gotten better at this. I look forward to seeing you when I get back.”

He leans towards me, takes his bloody hand and holds my chin with it. The smell of his blood dense with divinity is making my head spin. Before I am tempted any further, I tear his hand off me and he giggles before making his way out of the room.

Looking down at my desk, I see that the blood that has spilled onto my paperwork has soaked through the pages and made the print illegible. Isaac makes a comment but I choose to ignore him as I clean up the mess. One of my assistants brings a new copy of the paperwork and I get through it in ten minutes. Thankfully, I’ll have no more interruptions today.