The fog across Böses Auge island was thicker than normal, so thick in fact that Emma Frost could barely see through it. She sat in the front of the dinghy, looking out into the foggy ocean and directing Azael where to go. Azael didn’t understand why he couldn’t use his powers and teleport him and Emma to the island. He was told by his boss that the use of mutant powers would end up getting them caught again. In fact it was an outburst from the prince that signalled the royal guard of Genosha to investigate the island. His boss didn’t want to risk getting caught again, so Azael obeyed the orders and rowed himself and Emma through the foggy sea.
The small boat finally landed on the island shore with a massive and unexpected thud. Emma was unphased and got out of the small boat with ease. She fixed her coat, looking over at Azael as she waited for the daemon to join her. Azael pushed the boat onto the shore more so they wouldn’t lose their one mode of expeciable transportation. He dusted the sand off of him, letting out a deep groan. Emma scoffed at him, turning on her heels and walking up the path that led to their boss’s lair. Emma walked with a dramatic purpose while Azael dragged his feet behind her.
Passing the fog there was a beautiful castle. It was quite small, probably the size of a nice family home in the countryside. It looked like the standard european castle of the time, with white and gold painting the inner and outer walls. The windows were grand and there was a large stained glass mural in the back, although it had been broken years ago. The castle had strange openings in the ground that led to the ocean, creating small pools in the building. Looking down into these pools were other rooms not made for human kind. The entire place was covered in seaweed and various floral decorations from a time long passed. The place smelt like salt, a quite wretched smell to those not used to it, and the inside was a mess. Furniture everywhere, broken glass covering the floor like a carpet, books scattered about. It was obvious this place had seen better days.
The grand door of the castle was ajar. Emma pushed it gently, and the door creaked open. She first entered, being quiet as to not startle her boss. Azael creeped behind her, looking around at the destroyed castle. He coughed a bit as the pungent salt smell entered his nose, irritating him. Emma rolled her eyes and continued walking through. She soon stopped, seeing her boss and leader standing on the top of the staircase. Sebastian Shaw had been wanting for his worker bees to arrive and he smirked upon seeing them.
“This place used to be for merfolk.” Shaw’s strong voice echoed throughout the castle. “It was built in a way that both mers and humans could live equally, be together in harmony. But of course there was a falling out between the two peoples which left this castle abandoned. There is no use for it, since peace will never be an option.”
“A delightful history lesson.” Emma remarked.
“What’s the point of this?” Azael fussed.
Shaw walked down the stairs, joining his closest confidants in the foyer. Even though the man had been beaten, his soul crushed and crushed, he looked happy. Emma looked towards Azael, who shared the same look of shock as she. Shaw chuckled, noticing how nervous the two seemed. He shook Azael’s hand, kissed Emma on the cheek, before pacing around.
“A new door is slowly opening for us, new opportunities being born from the flames of my failure. And it starts here, my dear friends.” Shaw explained. He moved a few curtains aside, stepping outside. Emma and Azael slowly followed, watching him intensely. “The key to Erik’s heart is in the ocean, my friends. I can sense it. And if I have the key, I’ll have my boy back.”
“Genosha already knows of this place, of the things you have done to the prince.” Azael said. “It would be foolish to do something else to him or the kingdom itself!”
“Erik does not think with reason but with emotion. It’s a flaw that will bring him back to us.” Shaw explained. “If we take the thing most precious to him, he will become puddy in our hands."
“And what is this plan of yours?” Emma asked.
“Not sure yet. We’ll see.” Shaw shrugged. “For now, we must watch the ocean and simply fish.”